Developing European capabilities in the field of crisis management

Abstract

As an actor on the international stage, the EU has to face new dangers, threats and challenges, all the more so as it seeks to play a role in global security, which implies the assumption of increased responsibilities, as presented in the annex. The global environment is characterized by insecurity, thus the European Union needs a complex crisis management mechanism. The development of such a capability raises another major issue, the development of a Union capability. There is a danger that this new capability will duplicate NATO, or there is a danger that the Union will develop a capability but without the power to design it. A conflict that can be seen in the future is between the president of the European Council and the High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs and security policy, according to some Eurosceptics. The development of these capabilities is necessary for the Union which wants to be an important actor on the international stage.