Common Foreign and Security Policy: The Record and Reforms

The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) developed from the International Conference of 1991-2 between leaders of the member states of the European Community. The result of an unsatisfactory compromise, the CFSP has since equally disappointed its supporters and detractors alike. This work evaluates the initial impact and, where justified, counterbalances the accepted wisdom and dismissive criticisms of the CFSP. The contributions focus on the CFSP "joint actions", an innovation that differentiates the CFSP from its predecessor, European Political Co-operation, both practically and legally. Six of the joint action topics are examined here in detail: South Africa; the former Yugoslavia; the Stability Pact; non-proliferation; dual-use goods; amd the Middle East peace process. The other chapters are more thematic in approach, and cover funding, conflict prevention and conceptualizing CFSP.