ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. The analysis of the way that foreign policy is made in Western Europe in the first part of this book leads to the conclusion that, in spite of the creation of an institutionalized framework for the making of a common foreign policy at the European Union (EU) level. Most member-states wanted the CFSP unit in the Council secretariat to be just an administrative unit that would provide assistance to the Political Committee, composed of the political directors of the national foreign ministries. The British believe that an enlargement to the east will complicate the functioning of the EU and will set limits to the ability of the EU to decide on common policies. While Britain wants to keep North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as the foundation of any future European defence structure and regards a strong US commitment to European security as the bedrock of European security.
