European Union Foreign And Security Policy

The ambition of the European Union and its member states to assert a more coherent and strategic policy has been driven by the need to integrate East Central Europe, the desire to become a more autonomous foreign, security and defence actor, and the practical experience in the Balkans that has confirmed the need for an effective and independent European crisis management capability. European Union Foreign and Security Policy examines the degree to which the European Union has been able to respond as a coherent and strategic actor towards the developmental and security needs of its immediate neighbourhood in the post-Cold War period. Focusing on the regions neighbouring the European Union, the authors respond to questions such as: How has the policy by the EU and its member states developed towards the region? To what extent can the EU be viewed to have increased its strategic presence and influence? What have been the main strengths and weaknesses of EU policy? To what extent is the EU acting as the principal actor and to what extent do member states continue to act autonomously from the EU? To what extent do other actors - such as the United States, NATO, the UN, OSCE and sub-re