Wspólna polityka bezpieczeństwa i obrony - gra pozorów
COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENSE POLICY: NOT ALL IS AS IT SEEMS

Summary/Abstract: The article examines the 2015 developments within the European Union’sCommon Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The authors argue that the EU’s2015 decisions concerning CSDP may seem to be remarkable achievements but inreality, their significance is limited. The launch of the review process of the GlobalStrategy on Foreign and Security Policy – meant to replace the 2003 EuropeanSecurity Strategy, long considered outdated – is unlikely to reinvigorate the CSDPunless the member states politically commit to make the EU count as a strategic actor.The establishment of a new CSDP operation, aimed against human smugglers inthe Mediterranean and dubbed “Sophia” (after a baby-girl born to a refugee motheron an Italian rescue vessel), is merely an attempt to address secondary effects ofeconomic, demographic, political and security crises in the Middle East and NorthAfrica, which the EU failed to prevent from spiralling-out at earlier stages. Finally,the use of Art. 42.7 TEU “mutual assistance” clause in the aftermath of the 13th ofNovember terrorist attacks in Paris did not have any significant effect on the debateon the possible role of the Union in defending its members. What stands out against this backdrop is the increasing involvement of the EU in defence industry. In 2015,the European Commission’s future role as a sponsor of defence-related researchstarted to take shape with the establishment of the Preparatory Action – the first financialtool to help develop military technologies with European funds. It does notseem to be enough, however, the authors claim it could live up to the original, greatambitions of the CSDP.

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