The Nature and Future of European Security Integration

Abstract

The European Union (EU) has a complex and somewhat overlapping structure, largely as a result of the evolutionary process of the last fifty years. While each of its bodies shares responsibility for a number of policy areas, each of them plays some distinct role in foreign and security policy. With the completion (for better or worse) of the Monetary Union, this issue is the next big policy goal for the EU, so it is at the forefront of current discussions. The Maastricht Treaty establishes a Troika that shares responsibility for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP): The Presidency, The Secretary General and The Commission. In addition to this, both the European Council (EC) and the European Parliament (EP) play de facto roles, although the EC's is very large, while the EP's is so minimal as to be almost non-existent. Ultimately, the EU is a confederation at best: it is absolutely dependent upon acquiescence of its member states in all issues if not outright support. Thus, future increases in the breadth (number of member nations) and depth (level of integration) of European integration will be the key factor in determining the success of the CFSP.