Common Security and Defence Policy definition

Integral part of the Foreign Affairs and Defence Policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is the domain of EU policy covering defence and military aspects, as well as the management of civilian crisis. It includes the gradual framing of a common defence policy, with a view to an operational EU defence.

The implementation of the EU’s CSDP falls under the responsibility of the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In order to enable the EU to fully assume its responsibilities for crisis management, the European Council of Nice in December 2000 decided to establish a framework of permanent political and military structures (i.e. the Political and Security Committee, the EU Military Committee, the EU Military Staff, etc.).