For a European White Paper on Security and Defence

Traditionally defence is a responsibility that is exclusive to the States, but for most European countries it has been organised within multinational alliances since the end of the Second World War, e.g. NATO for the collective defence of their vital interests (territories and populations) with the support of the USA and Canada and the European Union within which they have developed common interests over the last 60 years.

But although to date they have been able to use these organisations to boost their power, whilst maintaining their levels of development and use of operational tools and capabilities, a new security context is challenging this comfortable situation.