Professional paper
The EU Battlegroups (EUBGs) – a successful story or a paper tiger?
Beatrica Šmaguc
Abstract
After decades of reliance upon NATO in security matters, the EU ought to develop security assets of
its own in order to protect its interests and citizens. The Common Foreign and Security Policy as an
expression of EU readiness and willingness to play a more significant role in security matters on the
international stage led to the creation of the European Security and Defence Policy, thus putting at
the EU’s disposal civilian and military capabilities for dealing with the crisis spots around the world.
The EUBG concept originated with the first member states’ pledges in November 2004 which gave
added value to the EU in the security and defence area, at least on paper, while so far no EUBG has
been deployed in the theatre of operations.
Keywords
EU Battlegroups (EUBGs); rapid response; ATHENA mechanism; Berlin Plus agreement; EU decision-making process
Hrčak ID:
106414
URI
Publication date:
1.8.2013.
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