Publication

This paper traces the debate on flexibility in the area of EU security and defense. According to the authors, the Treaty of Lisbon contains several options for creating some degree of flexibility in the defense domain: constructive abstention, the possibility of mandating a smaller group or "permanent structured cooperation in defense" (PSCD) for the most demanding missions. It is not yet clear, however, how the possession of larger military capabilities and the will to enter into more binding commitments will be elaborated. In their discussion, the authors focus on PSCD and its potential application.