Structure of the Common Security and Defence Policy

This article outlines the present structure of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), a part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) based on articles 42–46 of the Treaty on European Union (TEU).

The CSDP involves military or civilian missions being deployed to preserve peace, prevent conflict and strengthen international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The CSDP structure, headed by the Union's High Representative (HR/VP), Josep Borrell Fontelles, comprises: The EU does not have a permanent military command structure along the lines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) Allied Command Operations (ACO), although it has been agreed that ACO resources may be used for the conduct of the EU's CSDP missions.

The Military Planning and Conduct Capability (MPCC), established in 2017 and to be strengthened in 2020, does however represent the EU's first step in developing a permanent operational headquarters (OHQ).

The EU command and control (C2) structure is directed by political bodies composed of member states' representatives, and generally requires unanimous decisions.

The EEAS does not propose or implement policy in its own name, but prepares acts to be adopted by the HR/VP, the European Commission or the Council.

[25] PESCO is similar to enhanced co-operation in other policy areas, in the sense that integration does not require that all EU member states participate.