The Onerous Step of Integration: Constructing A “Common” Foreign and Security Policy

It is not a matter of concern for Europeans that they are living under feudal relations, modern states system or in a political union; like all humans, they had always been in a search for security. To provide internal and external security for the continent, the integration process has been one of the most powerful and effective instruments of Brussel. Actually, it can be argued that main motivations of integration process are obviously to “protect” the lives, properties and liberties of the citizens of European Union (EU). To this end, EU formulated many common policies. Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) is one of them. However, the road to construct it as a “common” policy was quite a challenge. In the era of Cold War, there had been weak and slow progress but the efforts to formulate a foreign policy for the Community will be a precious experience. After the Cold War, the international and regional developments will allow to follow more ambitious steps to have a “common” foreign and security policy for the Union. To stay strong in the eyes of its citizens, EU needs a strong, active and coherent CFSP. Today while the need for further progress is continuing, it is essential to see the trails of past experiences to understand the process better. This study will try to examine important treaties, summit conclusions and speeches which can be named as corner stones of creating a common foreign and security policy. Also, to figure out the shortcomings of constructing this policy, the basic dynamics of international system will be taken into the consideration