The Impact of the Financial and Economic Crisis on European Security and Defence Policy – Challenges and Opportunities

With the ratification of the Lisbon treaty, the European Union will finally have the chance to establish a serious common Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Unfortunately, the global economic and financial crisis is likely to cause setbacks. As public debts will rise over the next few years, EU Members States will be forced to cut their defence budgets and some will seek refuge in protectionist measures. The willingness to finance large-scale operations, like the EULEX mission in Kosovo, canbe expected to diminish. This could lead to insecurity and a rekindling of conflicts in many regions. However, EU policy makers and governments could also use the crisis as an opportunity to rationalise European defence expenses, work out new priorities and develop more efficient forms of cooperation (joint military units, avoidance of overlapping missions, jointly owned equipment), not only among Member States, but also with NATO. Is the economic and financial crisis an obstacle on the way towards ESDP or is it a chance for the EU to come up with a more efficient policy?