Kashkin, S.Y., Slepak, V.Y. The key directions of the Common Security and Defense Policy as guarantees of national security of the EU Member States

Abstract: The article is devoted to the analysis of the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union, which gains more and more standing lately. Its goal is to present this policy in an objective and contemporary way in the light of the amendments by the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force in the end of 2009. It shows the newest processes in the sphere of military and political integration in the EU, which are too often left outside the scope of scientific studies. The authors evaluate the gradual formation of the united defense system in the EU. They study the specific directions of military and political cooperation of the EU Member States, their goals and mechanisms of legal regulation. They show the ways and means for the dispute resolution and crisis management, application of military potential and the use of the so-called «soft force» by the EU. The article also concerns the treaties among the EU Member States in this sphere, formation of the tactical groups and activities of various missions. The analysis of civil operation in addition to military abilities of the EU is also of interest for the authors of this article.

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