The new security concept and German French approaches to the European "pillar of defence", 1990 - 2000

A historic opportunity without precedent is gradually becoming reality in the 21st Century with the chance taken to pave the way in the period 1990-2000 towards the organisation of defence in Europe. The corresponding conditions have been brought about by concrete steps taken at the Masstricht, Amsterdam, Cologne, Helsinki, and Nice European Council meetings. In the end, the EU/WEU is developing into an ‘equal’ partner to the US by assuming greater responsibility in the security and defence sphere. The French and German bilateral relationship – which is the driving force behind every European integration process – is the historical force behind this development of the ultimate desire to reach a robust European ‘Pillar of Defence’ through reconfiguration of the transatlantic relationship. This book provides the first comprehensive and up-to-date analysis of German and French approaches to the European ‘Pillar of Defence’ from the view of ‘Europeanisation’ emanating from the process of integration.