European Security and Defense Policy

At a 1999 summit in Helsinki, European leaders set about crafting a common defense policy for the European Union. To further that goal, the EU planned to set up a rapid reaction force, made up of 60,000 troops that could be deployed within 60 days to take care of problems in its own backyard. EU leaders say such a force will be ready by the middle of 2003. But critics say logistical support and communication networks must be built up before the dream of a fast-moving European defense force can become a reality. At the moment, the EU still depends on NATO and the United States for such support.