Term Paper on "European Security and Defence Identity Franco- British"

Term Paper 5 pages (1398 words) Sources: 5 Style: MLA

[EXCERPT] . . . .

European Security and Defence Identity

Franco- British summit was held in St. Malo in December 1998, the objective of the gathering was to unblock an effective 50-year UK veto on the discussion of defense matter on the platform of EEC / EC / EU. It was a huge success, the UK considered the formation of European defense unit on urgent basis, and UK was agreed over the legitimacy of an EU security capacity at both political and military levels. UK adopted European tactic to keep NATO strategy in practice. Finally there was hope, in line with the French aspirations, for opening up the prospects of EU as a security actor, with autonomous capacity, and right of exercising decisions of military and political nature. Germany was initially sleeping partner, as never reacted sharply over political and military matters; however the country has now shifted towards the concept of new security i.e. creation of European Army.

Earlier in 1950 the proposal of European Defense Community failed, the proposal was forwarded with hope of establishing a European army, in coordination with NATO. The Americans reacted cautiously, and welcomed the idea of creation of European Army, and stressed over the Europeans to achieve more in militarily, however the Americans shared reservations with reference to the role and involvement of NATO, after the formation of European Army. During the conference on European Union in Maastricht, the member countries (excluding NATO European allies agreed over the formation of European Security and Defense Identity), and later in April 1999 NATO members and United States agreed to the affirmation of the European countries to create ESDI. It was hoped that the formation of ESDI will encourage the allies to come up with common foreign policy, and strategies related to security.

Later at another round of European convention held at Helsinki in December 1999, the Europeans agreed to create their own force by 2003, the force was expected to be of more than fifty thousand soldiers, and will incorporate the services of naval, air force and army. It was agreed that the European force will be swift enough to conduct military operation within sixty days, and will last their military expeditions for maximum period of a year. "The Union must have the capacity for autonomous action, backed up by credible military forces, the means to decide to use them, and a readiness to do so, in order to respond to international crises"(European Union Report). The purpose of the force will be to conduct humanitarian aid operations, and rescue missions, the force will be also used for peacekeeping operations, and if required the force will conduct combat exercises, the nature of the combat exercises are similar to those listed in 'Petersburg Tasks', which was incorporated by the European Union in 1997 Amsterdam treaty, after the consent of Western European Union in 1992.

To implement a common foreign and security policy including the progressive framing of a common defense policy, which might lead to a common defense, thereby reinforcing the European identity and its independence in order to promote peace, security and progress in Europe and in the world"(European Union Report).

PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED

Since many years, United States has pushed the Europeans NATO countries to share the objective and load of NATO forces by increasing their proportion of military spending, and by balancing the decisions with reference to weapons procurement. Although initially European members made reserved and controlled efforts towards NATO forces, but all that changed once the opposition of the Great Britain towards EU developing its own military security identity ended. The European countries performed as single military unit during 78 day air war against Yugoslavia; however the conclusions of the war were very discouraging, it was observed that huge technological gap between the U.S. And Europeans in such fundamental capabilities as communications, intelligence, precision munitions, and logistics.

This required the revamping of Europe's defense industries; so that the Europe's single common security and defense policy lifts off. Some Europeans countries are already involved in formation of European Aeronautical Defense and Space Company (EADS); the countries include Germany, France and Spain. Also British Aerospace and Marconi Electronics have merged, which is vital indication of the European commitment towards applying… READ MORE

How to Reference "European Security and Defence Identity Franco- British" Term Paper in a Bibliography

Related Term Papers:

European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy Term Paper

European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy and later European Security and Defence Policy since the Maastricht Treaty

Today, Europe is being transformed in some profound ways as the European… read more

Term Paper 13 pages (3705 words) Sources: 8 Topic: Government / Politics

---

Identity Management and Security Awareness Training Plan Corporate Writing

Identity Management and Security Awareness Training Plan

The entire human race is in a constant phase of experiencing technological innovations and advancements, since the globe has crossed the threshold of… read more

Corporate Writing 6 pages (1839 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Computers / IT / Internet

---

NATO and the European Union the Cold Term Paper

NATO and the European Union

The Cold War period represented an important time in the history of the European continent and in the development of the concept of security and… read more

Term Paper 16 pages (5701 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Government / Politics

---

British Counter Intelligence Essay

British Counter-Intelligence

Did British counter-intelligence efforts during World War I create a terrible situation for British citizens in terms of their civil liberties? That's the contention presented by Nicholas Hiley… read more

Essay 5 pages (1679 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Government / Politics

---

European Union and Turkey Term Paper

European Union and Turkey

There are controversial issues surrounding Turkey's accession to the EU taking into account the different forces inside the communitarian forum. However, it can be said that… read more

Term Paper 8 pages (2785 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Israel / Palestine / Arab World

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>