ABSTRACT
This chapter explains why the European Union (EU) became a more influential, and even strategic, actor in the areas of counter-piracy and maritime security in ways that have so far eluded the EU in other areas of the CSDP. The Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) represent a major achievement in the EU's growth as a global actor. The chapter argues that the emergence of an EU maritime security capability is a result of a confluence of several factors. The three CSDP actions inspired by the piracy threat also represent a coherent, integrated CSDP package' to support the EU's Strategic Framework for the Horn of Africa (HoA). The three CSDP actions are namely as Atalanta, EUTM Somalia, and EUCAP Nestor. Although the protection of humanitarian aid shipments was a factor behind Atalanta, only a small proportion of its activities have involved escorting World Food Programme (WFP) vessels.
