Download or read book Europe's New Defense Ambitions written by Peter van Ham and published by DIANE Publishing. This book was released on 2001-04 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: At the EU's Helsinki summit in 1999, European leaders took a decisive step toward the development of a new Common European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) aimed at giving the EU a stronger role in international affairs backed by a credible military force. This report analyzes the processes leading to the ESDP by examining why and how this new European consensus came about. It touches upon the controversies and challenges that still lie ahead. What are the national interests and driving forces behind it, and what steps need to be taken to realize Europe's ambitions to achieve a workable European crisis mgmt. capability?