The way towards a new Common European Security and Defence Strategy

The European Union is currently engaged in a process of strategic reflection on its external relations in a rapidly changing world. Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, follows a participatory approach which involves consultations with a range of stakeholders culminating in a proposal for a common European security and defense strategy.

To feed into this process, the FES London together with the London School of Economics in December hosted a conference on Human Security in London to discuss the current engagement of the European Union in conflict-affected areas. More than 30 international academics and practitioners came together to debate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and instruments applied. Under the wider perspective of Human Security, policy recommendations for the strategy ahead have been derived. The conference was led by Professor Mary Kaldor from the LSE and Javier Solana, the former Secretary General of NATO and former European Union’s High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy.