ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the normative, procedural and operational perspectives discussed in this book are brought together to describe the double-sided nature of the European Union (EU) approach to peacebuilding in its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) actions. CSDP missions and operations reflect the EU’s normative and practical commitment to international peacebuilding. On the one hand, CSDP instruments with peacebuilding tasks have been animated by international peacebuilding norms. On the other hand, they are also results of EU foreign policymaking and thus shaped by the interests and preferences as well as concerns and constraints of the EU and its member states. Peacebuilding carried out through CSDP instruments has become central to the self-conception of the EU as a foreign policy actor. The EU uses these actions to demonstrate its ability as an actor in international conflict management. CSDP instruments have been mainly utilised in post-settlement situations to undertake peacebuilding tasks. This chapter draws implications of the main arguments of this book for theories and policies. The final section discusses possible future trajectories for the EU’s CSDP and the EU’s role as an international security actor, especially in the wake of the Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.
