Les 31 mars, 29 avril, 20 mai, 6 et 7 juillet 1944, des militants des mouvements de Résistance de plusieurs pays européens se réunissent en secret à Genève pour discuter ensemble des problèmes liés à la reconstruction, après la guerre, d'une Europe démocratique sur des bases fédérales.

Vue aérienne en date du 25 avril 1945, d'un camp sous contrôle de l'armée américaine regroupant plus de 160.000 prisonniers de guerre allemands.

Dans son édition du 6 juin 1947, le quotidien portugais O Século dresse le tableau de l'Europe d'après-guerre. Le secrétaire d'État américain, George Marshall, propose l'aide des États-Unis à la condition que les pays européens s'unissent pour coordonner leur économie.

"La citadelle". En mars 1948, suite au "coup de Prague" qui aboutit à l'instauration d'un gouvernement communiste en Tchécoslovaquie, le caricaturiste britannique Ernest Howard Shepard compare l’Union occidentale à une citadelle face à la menace soviétique en Europe.

Le 17 mars 1948, jour de la signature du traité de Bruxelles entre la France, le Royaume-Uni, la Belgique, les Pays-Bas et le Luxembourg, le quotidien français Le Monde résume pour ses lecteurs le contenu de l'accord.

Le 21 avril 1948, Pierre Pescatore, conseiller juridique au ministère luxembourgeois des Affaires étrangères, fournit une note sur les obligations militaires découlant du traité de Bruxelles, du 17 mars 1948, en comparaison avec les dispositions de la Charte des Nations unies.

Le 30 avril 1948, les ministres de la Défense et les chefs d'état-major des cinq puissances signataires du traité de Bruxelles se réunissent à Londres pour discuter de la création d'un Comité militaire.

À l'issue du congrès européen organisé à La Haye en mai 1948 par le Comité international de coordination des mouvements pour l'unité européenne, les participants adoptent une résolution politique demandant la convocation d'une assemblée européenne, l'élaboration d'une charte des droits de l'homme et la création d'une cour de justice chargée de la faire respecter.

Dans un mémorandum du 18 août 1948, les chefs d'état-major britanniques présentent leur point de vue sur l'organisation de la défense de l'Union occidentale. Ces propositions doivent servir de base aux pourparlers devant avoir lieu lors de la réunion du Comité des chefs d'état-major de l'Union occidentale.

Dans un rapport du 25 août 1948, les chefs d'état-major de l'Union occidentale présentent la politique de défense à suivre par les cinq puissances signataires du traité de Bruxelles.

Groupe de douaniers sarrois surveillant un poste-frontière entre la Sarre et la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA).

Schémas montrant la composition et l'évolution des organisations de sécurité et de défense en Europe depuis 1949 et en particulier le changement dans les structures de coopération suite à la chute du rideau de fer en 1989.

Le 25 juin 1950, le Conseil de sécurité de l'Organisation des Nations unies (ONU) réagit à l'invasion de la Corée du Sud par les troupes communistes nord-coréennes en demandant la cessation immédiate des hostilités et le repli de l'armée nord-coréenne au-delà du 38e parallèle.

Le 24 octobre 1950, René Pleven, président du Conseil des ministres français et ancien ministre de la Défense nationale, expose devant l'Assemblée nationale française la création d'une armée européenne pour éviter le réarmement allemand demandé par les États-Unis.

Le 27 mai 1952, Konrad Adenauer, chancelier et ministre des Affaires étrangères de la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA), Paul Van Zeeland, ministre belge des Affaires étrangères, Robert Schuman, ministre français des Affaires étrangères, Alcide de Gasperi, ministre italien des Affaires étrangères, Joseph Bech, Président du gouvernement et ministre des Affaires étrangères du Luxembourg, et Dirk Stikker, ministre néerlandais des Affaires étrangères, signent à Paris le traité instituant la Communauté européenne de défense (CED).

Le 10 septembre 1952, le Conseil spécial de ministres de la Communauté européenne du charbon et de l'acier (CECA) décide la création d'une Assemblée ad hoc chargée d'élaborer, endéans un délai de six mois, un projet de traité de Communauté politique européenne (CPE).

In 1953, the Union of European Federalists publishes a pamphlet on its proposed solution to the Saar issue. This publication analyses the historical, economic, political and legal facts as well as the French and German perspectives on this issue. It also addresses potential solutions that could contribute to the deepening of the European integration process.

On 29 April 1953, Pierre-Henri Teitgen gives a speech at a meeting held at the Palazzo del Cinema in Venice and organised by the Union of European Federalists. In his address, he discusses the European Defence Community (EDC) and analyses the consequences of a potential rejection of the EDC Treaty.

"Négociations au sommet." Le 1er décembre 1953, le caricaturiste britannique David Low illustre l'opposition de l'Union soviétique à l'encontre du projet de Communauté européenne de défense (CED). A gauche, Gueorgui Maximilianovitch Malenkov, président du Conseil des ministres et Viatcheslav Mikhaïlovitch Molotov, ministre soviétique des Affaires étrangères.

In December 1953, the Mouvement Républicain Populaire (Popular Republican Movement — MRP) presents a publication on the European Defence Community (EDC). This publication examines the origins, characteristics, political structure and operation of the EDC as well as its approach to European integration. Emphasis is placed on the potential creation of a European army, especially its consequences for national sovereignty and peace in the continent.

In 1954, an article published by the journal Jeune Europe explains the reasons for the creation of the European Defence Community (EDC) and presents its historical milestones from a diachronical perspective.

In 1954, the journal Jeune Europe publishes an article which highlights the advantages of the European Defence Community, particularly its contribution to effective security and defence in France and to the European integration process.

In 1954, the journal Jeune Europe promotes peace in Europe while supporting the creation of a European army including German contingents.

In 1954, the Union française des fédéralistes (French Union of Federalists — UFF) publishes a pamphlet for French citizens on the need for a European Defence Community (EDC). This publication illustrates the contemporary development of France in demographic, economic and defence terms in comparison with other neighbouring countries. It also outlines the structure of the EDC and its potential economic and military advantages, explaining how it can be considered as a key vehicle of European integration.

In 1954, in Paris, the Union of European Federalists presents a publication on initiatives and constraints in the efforts towards European integration from a political, economic and security perspective. This publication also criticises the hindrances created by the Soviet Union and especially refers to the plan by Vyacheslav Molotov, which was proposed at the Conference of Foreign Ministers of the Four Powers (USSR, USA, France and the United Kingdom) in Berlin.

À l'occasion de la conférence des ministres des Affaires étrangères des Quatre Puissances (URSS, États-Unis, France et Royaume-Uni), qui a lieu à Berlin du 25 janvier au 18 février 1954, le ministre soviétique, Viatcheslav Molotov, présente un projet de traité général de sécurité collective en Europe et propose de convoquer une conférence des États européens en vue de sa conclusion.

On 5 March 1954, French socialist politician Guy Mollet and Belgian socialist statesman Paul-Henri Spaak speak at a meeting held by the Mouvement Démocratique et Socialiste pour les États-Unis d’Europe (Democratic and Socialist Movement for the United States of Europe — MDSEUE) in Paris. Their addresses summarise their positions on the European Defence Community (EDC) and the EDC Treaty, especially regarding the creation of a European army, disarmament, the defence and security of Europe, and the integration and reunification of Germany. Both addresses reveal examples of overlapping initiatives and constraints on the path towards European integration.

Le 14 avril 1954, le gouvernement britannique expose à la Chambre des Communes, les engagements souscrits par le Royaume-Uni à l'encontre de la Communauté européenne de défense.

"L'inévitable fantôme". Le 23 juin 1954, à l'occasion des débats au Royaume-Uni sur la Communauté européenne de défense (CED) et la question du réarmement de la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA), le caricaturiste britannique Low ironise sur l'opposition d'Aneurin Bevan, homme politique gallois appartenant au Parti travailliste britannique, à l'encontre de la CED.

On 31 August 1954, the newspaper Franc-Tireur publishes an article on the reasons for and consequences of the failure of the ratification of the European Defence Community Treaty.

On 1 September 1954, the newspaper Franc-Tireur publishes an article which analyses the impact of the French National Assembly’s rejection of the European Defence Community Treaty.

The Brussels Treaty as amended by the Protocol modifying and completing the Treaty that was originally signed on 17 March 1948 by His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Belgium, the President of the French Republic, President of the French Union, Her Royal Highness the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg, Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands, and His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas. The document presents the modified and completed version signed in Paris on 23 October 1954, which sees the Federal Republic of Germany and Italy acceding to the Treaty. The organisation established by the Treaty is renamed ‘Western European Union’ and the ‘Consultative Council’ becomes the ‘Council of Western European Union’.

Document published in Strasbourg on 13 May 1955 relating the Council of Western European Union’s approval of the agreement concluded by the Governments of the Federal Republic of Germany and of the French Republic that grants the Saar European status under the aegis of Western European Union (WEU). The document also outlines the steps that are necessary for the implementation of the referendum on the Saar Statute, and sets out the principles of this referendum. Finally, it outlines the responsibilities and powers of the European Commissioner for the Saar.

Le 14 mai 1955, l'Albanie, la Bulgarie, la Hongrie, la République démocratique allemande, la Pologne, la Roumanie, la Tchécoslovaquie et l'Union soviétique signent à Varsovie un traité d'amitié, de coopération et d'assistance mutuelle connu sous le nom de pacte de Varsovie.

This communiqué on Western European Union refers to a meeting of the Council of the European Union held on 4 July 1955 in Strasbourg and examines the issue of European security borders.

Le 29 mars 1960, cet ancien poste de frontière entre la Sarre et l'Allemagne, sur la Nationale 51 près de Freudenburg, est détruit.

La zone limite du "rideau de fer" est symbolisée par trois anciennes bornes frontières qui marquent le point de jonction entre le territoire des anciens duchés de Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, de Saxe-Meiningen et de l'ancien royaume de Bavière.

Le 5 juillet 1966, dans la déclaration sur le renforcement de la paix et de la sécurité en Europe, le comité politique consultatif du Pacte de Varsovie propose la suppression simultanée des deux blocs militaires, la reconnaissance de l'existence des deux États allemands, le développement des accords portant sur le désarmement en Allemagne et en Europe et la convocation d'une conférence générale européenne en vue d'examiner les problèmes relatifs à la garantie de la sécurité en Europe et à l'établissement d'une coopération générale européenne.

Address given by Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the Commission of the European Communities, in Munich on 19 November 1970. The main topic of the address is the Commission’s possible participation in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe within the framework of political cooperation.

Le 8 décembre 1970, le quotidien Luxemburger Wort commente la signature à Varsovie du traité entre la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA) et la Pologne.

Address given by Franco Maria Malfatti, President of the Commission of the European Communities, at the Conference of Foreign Ministers held in Paris on 14 May 1971. Mr Malfatti discusses whether the chapter on economic cooperation should or should not be included in the Conference on European Security. He also comments on the report by the Political Committee.

Note drafted by the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels on 26 October 1971, focusing mainly on the Political Committee’s discussion of the economic aspects of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) and on the preparatory work for the summit.

Report by the Political Committee dated 4 November 1971 regarding the goals and principles of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The document also includes a possible agenda for the Conference.

Address given by the President of the Commission of the European Communities in Rome on 5 November 1971 which deals with the economic and technical matters concerning the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. The President takes into account the proposals made by the ad hoc group, reaffirming the significance of the CSCE and stressing the need to establish a comprehensive joint trade policy with the Eastern countries.

En 1972, pour les fêtes de Pâques et de la Pentecôte, près de 11.500.000 habitants de Berlin-Ouest traversent la frontière vers la partie Est de la ville afin de rendre visite à des proches ou à des amis, comme ici au point de passage de la rue Bornholmer.

Note dated 18 April 1972 explaining that the subcommittee has been asked by the Political Committee to examine the issue of the relationship between the EEC, the COMECON and their Member States, and to focus particularly on the attitude of the countries of Eastern Europe towards European unification. The note also mentions that the Commission of the European Communities has been invited to give its opinion on the matter, which shall be further discussed at the ad hoc group and subcommittee meeting due to be held on 9 May.

Working document drafted in Brussels by the Commission of the European Communities on 28 April 1972. The document discusses the benefits and the issues that derive from the East–West economic and industrial cooperation agreements.

Address given by the Commission representative on 9 May 1972 during the subcommittee and the ad hoc group meeting concerning preparations for the Conference on European Security and Cooperation. The address, which is divided into three sections, deals with the attitude of the countries of Eastern Europe towards the Community, the Community’s attitude towards the countries of Eastern Europe, and the relationship between the EEC and the COMECON.

Note drafted by the Commission of the European Communities in Brussels on 10 May 1972. The document indicates that the Commission has been encouraged to participate in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe within the framework of political cooperation. It also outlines the steps that Sicco Mansholt, President of the Commission, has taken in order to keep regular track of the work that the Commission is undertaking for this Conference.

Le 6 novembre 1973, inquiets des conséquences des troubles qui secouent le Proche-Orient suite au déclenchement de la guerre du Kippour, les Neuf réunis à Copenhague publient une déclaration commune dans laquelle ils fixent les principes qui, selon eux, devraient fonder un règlement de paix au Proche-Orient.

On 26 January 1979, in a confidential note sent to Émile Noël, Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community, Umberto G. Stefani, Secretary General of Coreper and former chair of the interinstitutional group for emergency aid to the Member States, refers to his conversations with diplomats from the USSR and Czechoslovakia and by extension to the security aspects of EEC–Comecon relations.

On 31 January 1979, in a file note, Jean Groux, a member of the Legal Department of the Commission of the European Communities, refers to the visit he received from V. N. Kuznetsov, Adviser to the USSR Embassy. He particularly focuses on the details of their discussion, especially concerning EEC–Comecon relations, the European judicial area and the territorial application clause of EEC agreements.

On 20 February 1979, in a confidential note sent to Émile Noël, Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community, Umberto G. Stefani, Secretary General of Coreper and former chair of the interinstitutional group for emergency aid to the Member States, refers to the visit he received from Babenkov, Secretary of the USSR Embassy in Brussels, and more particularly to their discussion on issues such as the events on the China–Vietnam border and the relations of some Comecon member countries with the Commission of the European Communities.

On 19 March 1979, in a confidential note sent to Émile Noël, Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community, Umberto G. Stefani, Secretary General of Coreper and former chair of the interinstitutional group for emergency aid to the Member States, refers to the visit he received from Buzykin, Adviser to the USSR Embassy in Brussels, and more particularly to their discussion concerning the relations and agreement between the EEC and Comecon.

On 23 April 1979, in a confidential note sent to Émile Noël, Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community, Umberto G. Stefani, Secretary General of Coreper and former chair of the interinstitutional group for emergency aid to the Member States, refers to the visit he received from Stenho, Adviser to the Embassy of Czechoslovakia, and more particularly to their discussion concerning issues such as operations at the China–Vietnam border, EEC–Comecon relations and EEC–China relations.

In this confidential working group report dated 24 April 1979, reference is made to détente as a policy objective of the protagonists of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE) as well as to the different meanings of the concept of détente in Western and Eastern Europe. The report emphasises the need for stronger political cooperation to achieve détente and the importance of establishing a security system in Europe, and looks at various methods to guarantee long-lasting security relations. It also refers to the use of the concept of détente by the Soviets for propaganda purposes. The ‘Eastern countries’ working group makes specific proposals for the establishment of a system of collective security in Europe.

On 15 May 1979, Christopher Audland, Deputy Secretary-General of the Commission of the European Communities, sends a note to Sir Roy Denman, Director-General for External Affairs of the Commission of the European Communities, regarding his recent visit to Berlin and more particularly his discussion on 12 May 1979 with Bronislav P. Khotulev, one of the Ministers in the Soviet Embassy, concerning East–West relations, the Quadripartite Agreement on Berlin, the powers of the European Parliament and EEC–China relations.

On 29 May 1979, in a confidential note sent to Sir Roy Denman, Director-General for External Affairs of the Commission of the European Communities, Louis Kawan, Chief Adviser to the CSCE, refers to an article in Pravda, the official newspaper of the Soviet Communist Party, on the development of relations between the European Community and the USSR.

This file note, dated 5 October 1979, refers to the 958th meeting of the Permanent Representatives Committee, held the previous day, which focused on the security aspects of EEC–COMECON relations.

On 10 December 1979, in a confidential note addressed to Émile Noël, Executive Secretary of the Commission of the European Economic Community, Umberto G. Stefani, Secretary General of Coreper and former chair of the inter-institutional group for emergency aid to the Member States, refers to the visit he received from Mr Osmanski, Counsellor to the Embassy of Poland, and more particularly to their discussion concerning EEC–COMECON relations as well as to the relations between ASEAN and the Member States of the European Community.

Le 13 juillet 1984, Roland Dumas, ministre français des Affaires étrangères, et Waldemar Schreckenberger, secrétaire d'État auprès du chancelier fédéral allemand, signent à Sarrebruck l'Accord relatif à la suppression graduelle des contrôles à la frontière franco-allemande.

Le 14 juin 1985, la France, la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA) et les pays du Benelux signent à Schengen (Luxembourg) l'accord relatif à la suppression graduelle des contrôles à leurs frontières communes.

Le 7 novembre 1986, le quotidien français Le Monde revient sur les discussions entre le secrétaire d'État américain George Shultz et le ministre soviétique des Affaires étrangères Edouard Chevardnadze, sur la question du désarmement et des droits de l'homme, tenues lors des réunions du 5 et 6 novembre à la Conférence sur la sécurité et la coopération en Europe (CSCE).

Le 27 octobre 1987, tenant compte de l'évolution des relations Est-Ouest, les ministres des Affaires étrangères et de la Défense des États membres de l'Union de l'Europe occidentale (UEO) adoptent à La Haye une "plate-forme sur les intérêts européens en matière de sécurité". En soulignant le caractère essentiel de la contribution ouest-européenne à l'équilibre des forces conventionnelles et nucléaires dans une Europe toujours divisée, ils affirment leur volonté de renforcer le pilier européen de l'Alliance atlantique et de développer une identité européenne en matière de défense.

Signée le 19 juin 1990 par les représentants de la République fédérale d'Allemagne (RFA), de la Belgique, de la France, du Luxembourg et des Pays-Bas suite à l'accord de Schengen du 14 juin 1985, la convention de Schengen définit les conditions d'application et les garanties de mise en oeuvre de la libre circulation des personnes dans les pays signataires.

En 1991, le caricaturiste allemand Fritz Behrendt illustre le processus inexorable de "dissociation"de la Fédération yougoslave.

"Pouvez-vous bien voir ?" En 1992, le caricaturiste Fritz Behrendt dénonce l'attitude attentiste des Européens et des Occidentaux face au génocide perpétré en ex-Yougoslavie.

En octobre 1994, Piotr Kolodziejczyk, ministre polonais de la Défense, analyse dans la Revue de l'OTAN les nouvelles relations de partenariat entre la Pologne et l'Alliance atlantique.

Le 26 mars 1995, date de l'entrée en vigueur de l'Accord de Schengen, les contrôles sont renforcés aux frontières des pays participants et de longues files de voitures se forment à divers endroits comme ici à Francfort-sur-l'Oder à la frontière entre l'Allemagne et la Pologne.

Selon la Cour de justice, dans son arrêt du 30 avril 1996, dans l’affaire C-194/94, CIA Security International/Signalson and Securitel, les articles 8 et 9 de la directive prévoyant une procédure d’information dans le domaine des normes et réglementations techniques, en vertu desquels les États membres sont tenus de notifier à la Commission tous les projets de règles techniques relevant de la directive et, sauf dans des cas particuliers d’urgence, d’en suspendre l’adoption et la mise en vigueur, pendant des périodes déterminées, doivent être interprétés en ce sens que les particuliers peuvent s’en prévaloir devant le juge national, auquel il incombe de refuser d’appliquer une règle technique nationale qui n’a pas été notifiée conformément à la directive.

Le 3 juin 1996, le Conseil de l'Atlantique Nord, réuni en session ministérielle à Berlin, décide d’adapter les structures de l’Alliance afin de construire au sein de l'OTAN une identité européenne de sécurité et de défense. En particulier, la mise au point du concept des groupes de forces interarmées multinationales (GFIM) doit permettre aux Européens l'utilisation de capacités militaires séparables mais non séparées de l’OTAN dans des opérations dirigées par l'Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO).

En juin 1997, Javier Solana, secrétaire général de l'Organisation du traité de l'Atlantique Nord (OTAN), publie dans la revue espagnole Política Exterior un article sur le rôle de l'Alliance atlantique dans le monde et particulièrement en Europe à la veille du nouveau millénaire.

Lors du sommet franco-britannique qui se tient à Saint-Malo les 3 et 4 décembre 1998, les chefs d’État et de gouvernement du Royaume-Uni et de la France s’accordent sur la nécessité de doter l’Union européenne (UE) d’une capacité autonome de décision et d’action, appuyée sur des forces militaires crédibles, afin de pouvoir répondre aux crises internationales lorsque l’Alliance atlantique n’est pas engagée. Pour éviter des duplications inutiles, l’UE doit prendre en compte les moyens de l’Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO).

Presidency Conclusions reached on 3 and 4 June 1999 at the Cologne European Council, following the application of the Amsterdam Treaty (1 May 1999) and the introduction of the euro (1 January 1999). The European Council reaffirms the need for the implementation of the measures of the Stability and Growth Pact and aims for a significant reduction of unemployment, to be achieved mainly through innovation and the ‘information society’. It exhorts the institutions to put into practice the action plan for the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice and calls for the development of a common European security and defence policy as well as the improvement and enhanced coordination of the EU and Member States’ non-military crisis response tools. The Council also addresses safety issues and advocates the consolidation of fundamental rights at the European level in a Charter, while dealing with issues related to EU external relations.

Suite à l'entrée en vigueur du traité d'Amsterdam, et à la communautarisation du domaine des visas, asile et immigration, le comité de l'article K.4 devient le comité de l'article 36 et un nouveau comité est créé afin d'assurer la coordination du travail préparatoire du Conseil dans ce domaine relevant désormais du premier pilier: le Comité stratégique sur l'immigration, les frontières et l'asile (CSIFA). Une note de la présidence du Conseil de l'Union européenne, du 22 février 2000, s'interroge sur le rôle et les activités futures de ce comité.

Council Decision of 22 January 2001 for the establishment of the Military Committee of the European Union, intended as ‘the highest military body established within the Council’. The Council Decision comprises six articles and an Annex which determine the composition of the EU Military Committee and set out its tasks, missions and functions. The means of appointment, term of office and tasks of the Chairman of the Committee are also specified.

The Presidency Conclusions of the Göteborg European Council, held on 15 and 16 June 2001, concern the forthcoming enlargement in 2004, sustainable development and issues related to peace and security. The European Council agrees to further the ratification process for the Treaty of Nice so that the European Union may welcome new Member States from the end of 2002, and agrees on a strategy for sustainable development. It highlights the crucial role of the European security and defence policy (ESDP) in preventing conflict and managing crisis, by military and civilian means, and endorses the EU Programme for the Prevention of Violent Conflicts, reaffirming conflict prevention as one of the main objectives of the European Union. The European Council also underscores the significant progress that has been made in creating a successful partnership with the UN in these fields of conflict prevention and crisis management, as well as in matters concerning development cooperation, humanitarian affairs, asylum policies and refugee assistance, and adopts a declaration on the prevention of the proliferation of ballistic missiles.

Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, an Extraordinary European Council session is held on 21 September. The main aims of this meeting are to examine the international situation and provide impetus for EU action in the fight against terrorism. The European Council stresses the need for ‘global coordination’ and promotes an ‘interdisciplinary approach’. It approves a plan of action which includes enhancing police and judicial cooperation, developing international legal instruments, putting an end to the funding of terrorism and strengthening air security. Moreover, it insists on the need to further the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and to swiftly implement the European security and defence policy (ESDP). The European Council highlights the negative effects that the terrorist attacks are having on the economy but envisages the forthcoming introduction of the euro as a source of stability.

Council Framework Decision of 13 June 2002 regarding the implementation of a new system of surrender of sentenced or suspected persons for the purposes of execution or prosecution of criminal sentences. With this Framework Decision, the European Council provides a definition of the European arrest warrant; in the 31 Articles divided into four chapters, it specifies the scope of the European arrest warrant, its content and form, the detailed procedures for its transmission, as well as the limits and procedures for the decision to execute the arrest warrant. The European arrest warrant is intended as a further step towards the creation of an area of freedom, security and justice, which is one of the main objectives of the European Union.

During the Seville European Council, held on 21 and 22 June 2002, a number of measures are discussed and approved, many of which concern the final phase of the enlargement negotiations. The European Council also approves the Presidency report on the European Security and Defence Policy and underlines the need for swift implementation of the programme adopted in Tampere in order to create an area of freedom, security and justice in the European Union. It highlights the progress that has been made on various fronts, emphasising the importance of the plan to combat illegal immigration, the plan for the management of external borders and the Directive which sets the minimum standards for the admittance of asylum seekers to Member States. At the same time, the European Council reaffirms the need to address and resolve the root causes of illegal immigration by promoting economic cooperation, trade expansion, development assistance and conflict prevention. Furthermore, it broaches the threat of terrorism, adopting a Declaration on how to tackle this ‘scourge’.

Communication issued by the European Commission on 11 March 2003 with a view to the 2004 enlargement. The Commission sees the greater political and economic interdependence that will result from this enlargement as a means to encourage stability, security and sustainable development. It advocates the development of a ‘ring of friends’ who are bound together by ‘close, peaceful and co-operative relations’. This Communication also tackles the question of EU neighbours with no immediate prospect of becoming members.

En juin 2003, le Conseil européen de Thessalonique charge le secrétaire général du Conseil/haut représentant pour la politique étrangère et de sécurité commune (PESC) de soumettre au Conseil "Affaires générales et relations extérieures" une stratégie de l'Union européenne en matière de sécurité. Ce document, intitulé Une Europe sûre dans un monde meilleur, est adopté par le Conseil européen à Bruxelles, le 12 décembre 2003. Le texte insiste sur la nécessité d'une approche multilatérale et globale dans le domaine de la sécurité en Europe et dans le monde.

On 25 February 2004, in an interview given in Paris, Georges Brondel, Honorary Director-General of the European Commission, refers to key events and players in the European integration process during his career. He makes particular reference to geopolitics, energy policies and the security aspects of oil supply.

Article published in 2004 by Sven Biscop that provides an analysis of the European security strategy and makes suggestions on how to further its implementation.

Communication issued by the European Commission on 5 May 2004 in response to the challenges posed by the 2004 EU enlargement and the EU’s changing external borders. In this Communication, the Commission offers recommendations to further develop the European Neighbourhood Policy. These concern the inclusion of the countries of the Southern Caucasus in the ENP and the development of regional cooperation and integration in order to tackle issues that may arise at the external borders of the enlarged EU.

In this Communication, dated 14 July 2004, the European Commission gives an account of the work that has been done since February 2004 — when the Commission presented a political project for the Union to address the key challenges facing Europe and its citizens until 2013 — and since the completion of the policy proposals that endorse the principles of the February Communication. In this Communication, the Commission also notes the added value of the EU’s proposed actions and of the proposed governance instruments, and the expenditure that is necessary to develop the political project proposed by the Commission for 2007–2013. Furthermore, it clarifies the way in which the deliverables of this project will be simplified and rationalised.

Carte indiquant les États membres et les États partenaires de l'OTAN en 2005.

Action Plan presented by the European Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on 10 May 2005 in order to carry out the Hague Programme, which reaffirms the EU’s commitment to the area of freedom, security and justice. This Action Plan comprises two main sections: in the first section the Commission outlines the issues and salient aspects of the Hague Programme. The Commission also notes ten priorities on which most attention should be placed. The second section details the measures and specific actions that the Commission believes should be taken in the field of freedom, security and justice.

On 27 and 28 November 2005, a Code of Conduct on Countering Terrorism is agreed at the Euromed Summit in Barcelona. This initiative by the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership conveys their determination and efforts to strengthen cooperation and coordination in a bid to address the challenge of terrorism.

La photo illustre le travail quotidien de la mission de l'Union européenne d'assistance à la frontière au point de passage de Rafah (EU BAM Rafah) entre la bande de Gaza et l'Egypte (Territoires palestiniens).

Réalisé en juin 2006, ce film montre que l'Union européenne s'est dotée de structures et de moyens pour devenir un acteur mondial de la sécurité. Dans le cadre de la politique européenne de sécurité et de défense (PESD), l'Union déploie ses moyens militaires, diplomatiques, économiques et civils dans différentes missions à travers le globe, seule ou en coopération avec d'autres acteurs internationaux, comme en Bosnie-et-Herzégovine, en Indonésie ou en République démocratique du Congo.

Driven by the need to improve the capacity of the Community and its Member States to deal with critical situations such as the mass influx of illegal immigrants, especially at the European Union’s southern maritime external borders, the Commission proposes a European model for integrated border management. Stressing the need for operational measures to fight illegal immigration, protect refugees and reinforce control and surveillance of the external maritime border together with the necessity to build on the existing relations and practical cooperation already established with the third countries, the Commission recommends maximising the capacity of Frontex and introducing new tools for the next generation of integrated border management. The document emphasises the idea of secure borders as a central issue for EU development strategies.

In this document, the Committee of the Regions makes a series of recommendations, mostly in the area of illegal immigration and the integration process. It recommends that immediate action should be taken to harmonise legislation to put an end to human trafficking and the criminal organisations responsible for it; it also calls on the Commission to encourage and contribute to the identification of practical solutions to reinforce the management of the southern maritime external borders and improve the capacity of the Community, its Member States and its local and regional authorities to deal with critical situations, such as the mass influx of illegal immigrants, by urging the Community to propose mechanisms to ensure that future regularisations of illegal immigrants take place in a coordinated manner as part of a common immigration and asylum system. The Committee of the Regions calls for special attention to be paid to regions of the European Union situated in the Mediterranean and Atlantic area experiencing a particularly heavy inflow of illegal migrants and suffering from a lack of means to deal with a large number of immigrants with due human dignity levels; this requires immediate and decisive action at local, regional, national and European levels. Particular recommendations are given concerning relations with Africa, combating illegal immigration and strengthening integration measures, and also regarding Frontex.

Dans un rapport présenté le 2 décembre 2008 devant l'Assemblée de l'Union de l'Europe occidentale (UEO), la commission politique fait le point sur la stratégie de sécurité et de défense commune pour l'Europe.

In this Commission Decision (2008/456/EC), dated 5 March 2008 and amended by Commission Decision 2009/538/EC of 10 July 2009, rules are laid down for the implementation of the External Borders Fund. Particular reference is made to the implementation of this Fund on the grounds of public security, to the secure exchange of information and financial data between the Member States and the Commission, and to the implementation of projects for security reasons.

Dans cette interview, Willem van Eekelen, ministre néerlandais de la Défense de 1986 à 1988 et secrétaire général de l’Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO) de 1989 à 1994, rappelle la genèse du concept, né en 1991, d’identité européenne de sécurité et de défense (IESD) ainsi que le rôle que lui-même a joué dans sa mise en place effective.

Dans cette interview, Willem van Eekelen, ministre néerlandais de la Défense de 1986 à 1988 et secrétaire général de l’Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO) de 1989 à 1994, expose les implications de la «plate-forme sur les intérêts européens en matière de sécurité», adoptée par le Conseil des ministres de l’UEO le 27 octobre 1987 à La Haye, en questionnant la notion d’identité européenne en matière de défense.

Dans cette interview, Willem van Eekelen, ministre néerlandais de la Défense de 1986 à 1988 et secrétaire général de l’Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO) de 1989 à 1994, rappelle la position ambigüe des États-Unis concernant l’établissement d’une identité européenne de sécurité et de défense (IESD) dans les années 1990.

The Commission in this document, dated 16 September 2011, proposes to strengthen the Schengen acquis by means of a governance system capable of responding effectively, and in a timely and coordinated Union-wide way, to exceptional circumstances and challenges which might put the overall functioning of Schengen at stake. The Commission also proposes to initiate a more regular and structured political dialogue between the European Institutions on the functioning of the Schengen area.

This document, dated 12 December 2011, explains the situations and reasons backing the Commission’s legislative proposal establishing EUROSUR. This document also presents the general and specific and operational objectives of the proposed surveillance mechanism.

The necessity to further develop the European Border Surveillance System (EUROSUR) in order to allow Member States’ authorities to carry out border surveillance activities and the FRONTEX to share operational information and improve cooperation asked for the introduction of a legal framework focusing mostly on reinforcing the control of the Schengen external borders. The purpose of the legislative proposal is to improve the situational awareness and reaction capability of Member States and the Agency when preventing irregular migration and cross-border crime at the external land and maritime borders. The proposal provides clear regulations concerning the responsibilities and competencies for each party involved and the means of implementation of the common framework.

This report, requested by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Home Affairs and coordinated by the Directorate-General for Communication, summarises the results of the Special Eurobarometer public opinion survey on cyber security carried out in the 27 EU countries. The fieldwork dates from March 2012. The survey investigates how, when and how often EU citizens use the internet; it also explores EU citizens’ degree of confidence in using the internet for transactions, as well as how aware and concerned EU citizens are of cyber crimes. This report includes three annexes: technical specifications, a questionnaire and tables containing details of the survey.

Cooperation theme 10 on Security is adopted by the European Commission on 9 July 2012 as part of Work Programme 2013. Its aim is to help develop technologies and knowledge that can increase security for citizens and improve competitiveness for industry. The Security theme involves five sections: the first describes the general context; the second includes all the topics for which proposals will be called in this work programme; the third deals with the practical arrangements related to the calls; the fourth focuses on actions that are not implemented through calls for proposals; and the fifth concerns the indicative budget.

Cooperation theme 10 on Security, adopted by the European Commission on 27 June 2013, updates and replaces the 2013 Work Programme adopted on 9 July 2012. This version adds to the indicative budget and amends the previous breakdown between activities. The objective of theme 10 remains the same, namely to help develop technologies and knowledge that can increase security for citizens and improve competitiveness for industry. The Security theme is divided into five sections: section I presents the general context; section II comprises all the topics for which proposals will be called in this work programme; section III includes the practical arrangements related to the calls; section IV focuses on actions that are not implemented through calls for proposals; and section V concerns the indicative budget.