The EU is facing a dramatically aggravated security environment in the East and South of its borders.
At the same time, the financial crisis has led to drastic uncoordinated cuts in the defence budgets of the EU Member States.
On the eve of the European Council on Defence of 25th June, the European Parliament's Liberal group, ALDE, presented its Roadmap towards an Integrated EU Military.
The EU's ability to project power into its neighbourhood is weak, most of its CSDP (Common Security and Defence Policy) operations are just too little, too late.
While territorial defence of Western Europe continues to depend heavily on the US, several consecutive American administrations have been urging Europeans to take more responsibility for their own security within NATO.
The European Council has so far taken only small steps to encourage greater cooperation among Member States – clearly insufficient, if one looks at the alarming and deteriorating circumstances.
Lisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.
Lisbeth founded EUobserver in 2000 and is responsible to the Board for effective strategic leadership, planning and performance. After graduating from the Danish School of Media and Journalism, she worked as a journalist, analyst, and editor for Danish media.