The Lisbon Treaty and its Implications for the Common Security Defense Policy in the Light of the Emerging Strategic Partnership between NATO and the EU

Common Security and Defense Policy CSDP of the European Union EU is the most dynamic concept promoting further European integration. Implementing the Lisbon Treaty has implications on the CSDP and subsequently impacts on the EU relationship with NATO. The study analyzes the Treaty and assesses whether its changes will promote a complementary relationship between both organizations by focusing on the impact of the Treaty for the strategic orientation of CSDP, for its institutions, and for military capability development. The most significant outcomes in these three areas are the following. First, the EU missed the chance to resolve the Unions lack of strategic culture, which hinders the Unions ability to carry forward its CSDP more progressively. On the political level, a major obstacle for a strategic partnership with NATO remains the unsolved Cyprus conflict. Second, the study sees great potential of the adapted and streamlined institutional level of CSDP for cooperation with NATO. Third, in respect to military capability development, the study calls for promoting the elevated European Defence Agency for future armament cooperation and using its great potential to accelerate European military capability development and to remove obstacles for a strategic partnership between NATO and the EU.