The European Parliament and European Union security and defence policy

Article abstract:

Acquisition of co-decisional authority in home and foreign affairs was a significant turning point in the institutional history of the European Parliament (EP). The EP has become, as a result, the driver behind the EU's institutional development and adaptation to its changing international environment. The increasing confluence of CFSP/ESDP issue areas with the issue areas of EU enlargement illustrates the significance of the EP's participation. The relevant deliberations of the Convention on the Future of Europe also reflect this development. The EP is, through its Members, the EU organ closest to the blurry frontier between the (EU) 'system' and its (international) 'environment'.