In its conclusions on the European security and defence policy (ESDP), adopted on 15 May 2006, the General Affairs Council analyses the progress achieved in various fields in order to define the future needs of the ESDP more effectively in the long term. The Council considers, in particular, the development of the European Union's military capabilities, its capacity to undertake rapid response operations, the implementation of the research and technology programme and the improvement of civil-military coordination in the field. It also emphasises the importance of a comprehensive approach by the European Union to security sector reform in the Western Balkans.