This IIEA paper explores the significance of the EU’s comprehensive approach to crisis management. Under this approach the EU takes a holistic view of a (potential) crisis situation and recognises that effective, sustainable solutions can only be achieved by using the full range of civilian and military instruments at its disposal.
The paper considers how the EU institutions have been re-aligned by the Lisbon Treaty to facilitate the implementation of the comprehensive approach. It demonstrates that this is a work in progress and that the operational aspects currently lag behind conceptual developments. It examines the implications for Ireland and Europe and concludes that the comprehensive approach creates an opportunity for Ireland to be at the centre of the Union’s response to the complex security threats of the 21st century in a manner that respects the country’s particular strengths and values.
The paper can be downloaded here.
This paper forms part of a series of briefing papers on specific aspects of European security and defence policy. The first paper in the series, European Security in the 21st Century, was written by Professors Patrick Keatinge and Ben Tonra. It was published by the IIEA in April 2012, offering a broad outline of the policy sector as a whole. It is available here.