European Defence co-operation: Striving for an ever closer union

The European Security and Defence Policy that emerged in the early 1990s resulted in the creation of the European Defence Agency, after an agreement was reached at the Franco-British summit at Le Touquet of 2003. As of July 2004 the European Defence Agency came into existence with the purpose of improving the capabilities of the European armed forces in the field of crisis management as well as create a competitive European Defence market. The EDA since the beginning as been faced by budgetary constraints, duplicating roles of other organisations and a lack of clear direction among the 26 European Defence Ministers of Member States creating its Steering Board. However in light of the poor performance of the European armed forces during the height of the Kosovo conflict when compared to the United States, the need for the improvement of European armament capabilities is more important now than ever. Likewise the cost cutting benefits of a unified European arms market will also benefit Member States in the long run, but at what price? Perhaps at a risk to the sovereignty of their current independent defence industry an issue which remains sensitive at best. This new European Defence Agency seems to be causing a stir with all parties involved and what of their American partners? How do they feel about an autonomously free capable European armed force and unified defence industry that can challenge their own? These are underlining questions that outline this thesis.