European Security and Defence after Nice. JMWP No. 31.01, March 2001

Recent developments in EU security and defence have surprised by their speed, especially in light of a lack of such progress in the past. Brand new EU security institutions are already in place. EU states have also made clear military troops commitments for a Rapid Deployment Force by 2003. The Nice European Council of December 2000 has confirmed these developments. What has happened and what are the wider implications? Are the EU and NATO on a possible collision course? Probably yes, as both the EU is militarising and the Atlantic Alliance is becoming more and more a political institution. The crucial role of Britain is also examined and it is concluded that it remains more pro-Atlantic and anti-European supranationalism than ever before