The second pillar of the European Union: common foreign and security policy
The common foreign and security policy
Common foreign and security policy (CFSP)
Hans van den Broek, The Netherlands’ commitment to the establishment of a new Europe (August 1990)
TextIn an article published in the journal Internationale Spectator in August 1990, Hans van den Broek, Netherlands Foreign Minister, describes the security structures in Europe and looks at the Netherlands’ role in the future of the European Communities.
Franco-German proposal on the common security policy (Brussels, 4 February 1991)
TextOn 4 February 1991, in connection with Political Union, the French Foreign Minister, Roland Dumas, and his German counterpart, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, submit to the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) a proposal concerning the implementation of a common foreign and security policy (CFSP).
Towards a common foreign and security policy
ImageThe Treaty on European Union, signed by the Twelve at Maastricht on 7 February 1992, especially provides for a common foreign and security policy (PFSC).
The European institutions and the CFSP (Maastricht, 7 February 1992)
DiagramDiagram showing the interaction between the different European institutions in the fields covered by the common foreign and security policy (CFSP), following the entry into force on 1 November 1993 of the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992.
Note from the Commission on the CFSP and Community enlargement (12 May 1992)
TextOn 12 May 1992, in connection with the future enlargement of the European Union, an internal note from the European Commission addresses the question of the political and legal consequences of enlargement on the common foreign and security policy (CFSP).
'What kind of foreign policy?' from Le Monde diplomatique
TextIn June 1992, the French monthly magazine Le Monde diplomatique speculates as to whether the Twelve will succeed in implementing a coherent common foreign policy in the European Communities.
European Parliament Resolution on the establishment of the EC's common foreign policy (18 December 1992)
TextOn 18 December 1992, the European Parliament adopts a resolution in which it calls for the implementation of a common foreign policy by the Twelve.
‘A European army’ from La Libre Belgique (26 May 1995)
TextOn 26 May 1995, the conservative daily newspaper La Libre Belgique sincerely hopes that a European army will be created as part of a European security policy.
European Parliament Resolution on progress in implementing the CFSP (18 July 1996)
TextOn 18 July 1996, the European Parliament adopts a resolution on progress in implementing the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) during 1995.
Franco-German security and defence concept (Nuremberg, 9 December 1996)
TextOn 9 December 1996, Germany and France adopt a common security and defence concept.
Cartoon by Behrendt on the CFSP (1999)
Image‘And now: United for Europe!’ In 1999, in response to the conflagration in the Balkans, the cartoonist Fritz Behrendt speculates on the real capacity for action of Javier Solana, appointed High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Interview with Jacques F. Poos: from European Political Cooperation to the CFSP (Sanem, 16 April 2004)
VideoIn this interview, Jacques F. Poos, former Luxembourg Foreign Minister, describes the role of European Political Cooperation (EPC) in the area of foreign policy, with particular regard to the common foreign and security policy (CFSP).
The Barcelona Conference and the Euro-Mediterranean Association
Communication from the Commission, Strengthening the Mediterranean Policy of the European Union: Proposals for implementing a Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (8 March 1995)
TextOn 8 March 1995, the European Commission sends a Communication to the Council and the European Parliament in which it submits a series of proposals for the implementation of a Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.
Barcelona Declaration (27 and 28 November 1995)
TextMeeting in Barcelona on 27 and 28 November 1995, the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference adopts a joint declaration which establishes the aims and working methods of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
‘When Europe discovered the Mediterranean’ from El País
TextOn 20 November 1995, the Spanish daily newspaper El País analyses the objectives of the Barcelona Conference of 27 and 28 November, during which the European Union lays the foundations for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Association
‘The Mediterranean, natural horizon of Europe’ from Le Monde diplomatique
TextIn November 1995, the French monthly newspaper Le Monde diplomatique analyses the implications of the Barcelona Conference due to be held on 27 and 28 November, which would lay the foundations for the Euro-Mediterranean Association initiated by the European Union.
Brussels Declaration on industrial cooperation adopted at the Barcelona Euro-Mediterranean Conference (20–21 May 1996)
TextOn 21 May 1996, the Brussels Declaration sets out the decisions taken at the ministerial Euro-Mediterranean Conference on industrial cooperation, held in Barcelona.
Conclusions of the Rome Conference on Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation (30–31 May 1996)
TextOn 31 May 1996, the conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean ministeral conference on the information society held in Rome emphasise the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Euro-Mediterranean partners in the fields of telecommunications and information technology.
The partnership with the CCEE and Russia
‘Fifty two countries meet in Paris to promote stability in Eastern Europe' from Le Monde (19 March 1995)
TextOn 19 March 1995, the French daily newspaper Le Monde sets out the issues surrounding the forthcoming Conference on Stability in Europe, due to be held in Paris for the representatives of the 52 member states of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
Relations with the United States
‘Several European countries concerned about liberalisation of trade with the United States' from Le Monde (3 December 1995)
TextOn 3 December 1995, the French daily newspaper Le Monde explains the economic issues surrounding the Joint EU-US Action Plan.