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The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) enables the Union to take a leading role in peace-keeping operations, conflict prevention and in the strengthening of the international security. It is an integral part of the EU's comprehensive approach towards crisis management, drawing on civilian and military assets.
Lieutenant-General Vincenzo Coppola from the Italian Carabinieri has today on 17 September taken up his duties as the new Civilian Operations Commander.
Six EU military missions and operations are currently active in Europe's wider neighbourhood to support peace and security under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). These military missions and, more generally, recent progress on EU defence matters have often been in the forefront of public discussion. However, addressing complex security challenges in fragile partner countries also requires substantial civilian support and the EU has indeed currently ten civilian missions operating in the field.
Today’s geopolitical context requires strong EU leadership when addressing both European and global security and defence concerns. The establishment of a Permanent Structured Cooperation – referred to as PESCO – in December 2017 and the subsequent adoption of the initial set of 17 projects in March 2018 has raised cooperation among the 25 participating EU Member States to a new level.
In the context of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) platform, the ESDC has already conducted CSDP activities in five of the six EaP countries since May 2018. In June, Azerbaijan hosted an Orientation Course for the first time. Therefore, all six EaP countries have been actively contributing to the successful implementation of EaP deliverable number 12, 'stronger security cooperation', for 2020 (see below: Background).
For centuries, Europe was a continent of war. However after the Second World War, the European Union has become a most successful peace project, being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. Today the EU's ambition is to be a global actor for peace more than ever.
