Turning Away from CSDP? Franco-British Bilateralism in Security and Defence Policy

Abstract:

France and Britain are sending a new signal: 12 years after the Saint-Malo Declaration, in which they called for the establishment of the European Security and Defence Policy, in an unprecedented collaboration Paris and London have resolved to turn away from the CSDP for the time being.

The agreements on bilateral cooperation made at the Franco-British security and defence summit on 2 November 2010 are clearly more than a savings package. In unison the two states have challenged their EU partners to enter into clear commitments on the CSDP, and thus to clarify what can be expected from the EU in security and defence policy in the future.