ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the range of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) initiatives in the region, with a view to ascertaining the role these missions have played and whether they have matched the European Union's (EU) declared political objectives. It discusses cooperation between the EU and other international players, with a particular focus on EU relations with Russia and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The chapter explores some problems of implementation of CSDP in the European neighbourhood, and explains about the EU's strategy towards the region. It discusses cooperation between the EU and other international players, with a particular focus on EU relations with Russia and NATO. The chapter outlines the strategic interests of the EU in the region. It argues that while there are similar threats originating from both the Western Balkans and the Eastern neighbourhood in the form of illegal immigration and refugee flows, organised crime and ethnic conflicts.
