Rethinking the European Union crisis response mechanism in light of recent conflicts

Specific challenge: In recent years, the European Union or its members have, on several occasions, intervened in third countries to give support for conflict resolution or to counter destabilisation or other security threats. In general terms, such interventions can happen in different ways, such as military operations, intelligence cooperation, military training or humanitarian logistical support.

In the European Union, the Treaty of Lisbon foresees different response mechanisms, which can be targeted to the specific crisis it intends to tackle. They include joint disarmament operations, humanitarian and rescue tasks, military advice and assistance tasks, conflict prevention and peace-keeping tasks, tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peace-making and post-conflict stabilisation. Such operations, however, have an impact both on the perception of the EU in third countries as well as on the international political and economic relations.

Scope: Research should analyse the crisis response mechanisms in the EU and the policies accompanying their use and investigate the Union's capacity to take decisions and to respond efficiently with a common voice, if needed. This should focus on the EU's joint military and civilian capabilities, evaluate progress made in this field as well as identify future needs in view of further strengthening EU capacities. In particular, the motivations and actor constellations behind such interventions need to be assessed as well as the consequences and limits of such actions.

The role and the influence of other international organisations such as NATO and the UN Security Council need to be analysed in the context of the interactions and synergies between these organisations and the EU. An analysis of the position of the BRICS on intervention could also help to contextualize the position of the EU as a global actor in crisis scenarios. Finally, research could investigate the situation in third countries after the EU or its members have withdrawn their military forces or other forms of support (e.g. in Iraq, Afghanistan).

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 1.5 and 2.5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected impact: Research is expected to advance theoretical and practical knowledge on EU’s response mechanisms and their effectiveness and thus to contribute to strengthening its military and civilian capacities for anticipating crisis situations, as well as defining and promoting EU positions in terms of instruments of analysis, diplomacy and response mechanisms. By analysing and comparing the role of the EU and other international organisations in crisis situations, it will contribute to a better understanding of the EU’s role as global actor and its implications.

Type of action: Research and innovation actions