Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) is a major component of CFSP and the operational arm of the common foreign and security policy in the field of crisis management.
The Council may launch EU crisis management actions, both civil and military, in pursuit of the EU's objectives of peace and security. The relevant decisions are prepared by the Political and Security Committee, the EU Military Committee and the Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management, assisted by the crisis management structures in the European External Action Service. Military operations are financed by a specific mechanism called Athena which is managed by the General Secretariat of the Council on behalf of EU Member States contributing to the financing of these operations.
The defence ministers traditionally participate in Foreign Affairs Council meetings twice a year, in addition to their informal meetings, also twice a year.
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