Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)

Preserving Peace and Strengthening International Security

The EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy operations contribute to the preservation of peace, the prevention of conflicts and strengthening international security. Common Foreign and Security Policy actions help safeguard the Union’s values, fundamental interests, security, independence and integrity, and to consolidate and strengthen democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the application of principles of international law worldwide.

It pursues the following two specific objectives:

1. the deployment of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions to preserve peace and to strengthen international security, of promoting international cooperation and developing and consolidating democracy and rule of law as well as of respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms;
    
2. action on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament is to preserve peace and to strengthen international security, and to promote strategic cooperation with international partners on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, on combatting the illicit accumulation of small arms and light weapons and other conventional weapons and support EU policy on conventional arms exports.

The following activities are funded through EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy:

• Civilian CSDP missions that work towards regional and international security and stability;
   
• European Union Special Representatives who promote the EU’s policies and interests in troubled regions and countries and play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace and to promote stability and the rule of law. They are independent natural persons, appointed by the Council and entrusted with a mandate in relation to a particular policy issue;
   
• Non-Proliferation and Disarmament activities that contribute to the universalisation and effective implementation of international treaties, conventions and agreements addressing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including their delivery mechanisms, and of conventional arms. These are implemented through agreements with international organisations, notably within the UN family, as well as for specific purposes with other selected organisations in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament.

The main beneficiaries of the budget are civilian CSDP Missions. The remaining approximate 20% of the budget are used to fund beneficiaries in the field of non-proliferation and disarmament, such as United Nations agencies and non-governmental organisations, and EU Special Representatives.