Civilian and military missions and operations

What is the Common Security and Defence Policy?

Established when the Treaty of Lisbon was signed in 2009, the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) succeeded the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

The CSDP is a framework for cooperation in the field of defence and crisis management. EU countries must make civilian and military capabilities available to the EU to implement the CSDP.

Decisions relating to the CSDP are taken by the Council of the European Union by unanimity. The EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is responsible for proposing decisions in the field of CSDP.

• The EU's Common Security and Defence Policy (EU official journal)

Responding to conflicts and crises

The Common Security and Defence Policy enables the EU to deploy civilian and military missions and operations abroad, including with executive mandates, drawing on the operational capabilities of EU member states. 

The types of tasks that can be carried out under the CSDP are:

humanitarian and rescue tasks

conflict prevention

tasks for combat forces in crisis management

joint disarmament operations

civilian and military advice and assistance tasks

tasks in post-conflict stabilisation

Through its missions and operations, the EU aims to respond to conflicts and crises, build the capacities of partners and, ultimately, to protect the European Union and its citizens. 

Since 2003, the EU has launched over 40 missions and operations across the globe. Currently there are 22 CSDP missions and operations:

• 13 civilian missions
• 8 military missions/operations
• 1 civilian-military missions/initiatives

Military operations and missions benefit from financing under the European Peace Facility. The EU budget finances part of the common costs of civilian missions

• European Peace Facility

Civilian compact

On 22 May 2023, the Council approved a new civilian CSDP compact. The compact aims to strengthen the civilian side of the Common Security and Defence Policy and enhance the effectiveness, impact, flexibility, and robustness of civilian missions. The new compact builds on the first compact, adopted in November 2018. 

• Common Security and Defence Policy: Council approves conclusions on civilian CSDP (press release, 11 December 2023)
• EU strengthens its civilian missions (press release, 22 May 2023)

CSDP decision-making bodies

EU member states have established permanent political, military and civilian structures to enable the European Union to fully assume its responsibilities for crisis management and play its role as a global security actor.

Foreign Affairs Council

The Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in its defence configuration brings together the defence ministers of the European Union.

Meetings of the Foreign Affairs Council are chaired by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The High Representative is assisted by the European External Action Service (EEAS).

• Foreign Affairs Council configuration
• High Representative foreign affairs security policy

Political and Security Committee

The Political and Security Committee (PSC) is composed of member states' ambassadors and is chaired by a representative of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The PSC monitors the international situation with regard to the aspects covered by the common foreign and security policy and contributes to the definition of policies in this area. It exercises, under the responsibility of the Council and of the High Representative, the political control and strategic direction of EU crisis management operations.

• The Political and Security Committee

European Union Military Committee

The European Union Military Committee (EUMC) is the highest military body within the Council. It comprises the chiefs of defence of the member states, who are regularly represented by their permanent military representatives. 

The EUMC directs all military activities within the EU framework and provides the Political and Security Committee with military advice and recommendations.

• The European Union Military Committee

Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management

The Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management (CIVCOM) is the advisory body to the Political and Security Committee for civilian crisis management, in particular with regard to civilian CSDP. This includes preparing planning documents for new missions and developing related strategies and policies along with civilian crisis management capabilities.

• Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management

Politico-Military Group

The Politico-Military Group (PMG) carries out preparatory work in the field of CSDP for the Political and Security Committee. It covers the political aspects of EU military and civil-military issues, including concepts, capabilities and operations and missions. 

In particular it is responsible for partnerships with non-EU countries and other organisations, including NATO, as well as exercises.

• Politico-Military Group

See also

• EU defence in numbers
• A Strategic Compass for security and defence
• EU military support for Ukraine
• EU-NATO cooperation
• EU missions and operations (European External Action Service)