The “European defense” project suffers from a number of limitations - not just a lack of adequate resources but also conceptual flaws. It is not yet clear what fundamental common interests the EU members wish to pursue through the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and consequently through the defense instrument that should be made available by the end of 2003. This step would also help NATO better define its own missions, ensuring that the European allies enhance their contribution. The EU needs the equivalent of a “strategic concept”, which can be developed in parallel with the ongoing transformation of NATO...Please click here to read the text in full.