An integrated approach for sustainable security
The European Union has never been more prepared to respond to CSDP missions and operations
by Vice Admiral Hervé Bléjean, Director General European Union Military Staff /Director Military Planning and Conduct Capability, Brussels
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using security and defence instruments alongside diplomacy, sanctions, development, cooperation and trade, the EU applies an integrated approach to sustainable security. This enables the EU to take a leading role in peacekeeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security.
he security situation faced by Europeans today can be increasingly characterised by evolving threats, complexity and uncertainty. On a global scale, contested norms, strategic The role of the EU Military Staff competition, climate change, terrorist, cyber and hybrid threats A key enabler of EU hard power is the EU Military Staff (EUMS), can potentially increase instability and volatility in already established 20 years ago to provide ‘military expertise and fragile social and political situations. It is apparent to Member support to the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), States that failing to ensure security and stability beyond EU including the conduct of EU-led military crisis management opborders will affect its society, security and economy. There is erations’. The EUMS had a role primarily focused on supporting an expectation that the EU and Member States must be able to the planning and launch of operations outlined in the Helsinprotect its citizens as well as uphold European values. However, ki declaration. The Political and Security Committee (PSC), given the scale and complexity of responsible for the shaping of the global security threats, no MemEU’s Common Foreign and Secuber State can tackle them alone. rity Policy (CFSP) and CSDP, and For this reason, the EU is addressthe EU Military Committee who Vice Admiral Hervé Bléjean ing its current and future security provide, inter alia, military advice has been the Director General of and defence needs by enhancing and recommendations to the PSC, the EU Military Staff and Director its strategic autonomy and its cawere also created at that time. of the Military Planning Conduct pability to act as a credible global Another key development was the Capability since 2020. Born in security provider. establishment of the European 1963, he joined the French navy The requirement that the EU ‘have External Action Service (EEAS), in 1984. He participated in the photo: © EUMS the capacity for autonomous the EU’s diplomatic service, in Golf operation “Enduring Freedom” action, backed up by credible 2011. It helps the EU’s foreign as commanding officer of the frigate VENDEMIAIRE. military forces’ gives the EU the affairs chief – the High RepreHe also served as Deputy Commander of the French possibility to intervene outside its sentative of the Union for Foreign naval maritime force and was appointed EUNAVFOR territory through civilian and milAffairs and Security Policy – ATALANTA force commander in December 2013. In itary crisis management missions carry out the Union’s CFSP. The 2014 he became the head of international relations at and operations. Through a unique EU currently deploys over 5,000 the French ministry of defence. blend of soft and hard power, personnel in 17 CSDP missions
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photo: © Operation IRINI, 2021 /Francesco Natale /Source: EC - Audiovisual Service
THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
