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Even though the Lisbon Treaty finally went into effect in December 2009, the EU is far from becoming a new super-state. More than ever, EU members need to work together to influence events on the international stage, especially when it comes to questions about foreign and security politics. While the EU is first and foremost a civilian power, it is a sleeping giant in terms of security politics. By combining hard and soft power, Europeans have the potential to act as a role model for partners in other regions of the world. The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is an important step towards more integration in a field that has traditionally been dominated by national governments rather than international organisations. Military budgets, however, are shrinking and austerity measures may have unintended effects as they could lead to a deeper integration of military planning within Europe and to a truly European approach to security politics.

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Dirk Siebels is a partner at political risk consultancy Xiphias Consulting. Before founding the company, he worked as a journalist and media advisor after serving as an officer in the German Navy.He holds a BA in Politics from Fernuniversität Hagen (Germany) and an MA in International Studies from Durham University (UK).

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