European security and defence policy: Nice and beyond

The European Council held in Nice between 7-9 December 2000 unveiled the results of two years work on what is now termed the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). The key document produced at Nice was the “Presidency Report on European Security and Defence Policy” which formed part of Annex VI of the Presidency Conclusions. This paper will provide an analysis of the key aspects of the ESDP, including the establishment of permanent EU military institutions, the progress of EU-NATO relations and reaction to the policy in the UK and the US.