European Union Institute for Security Studies

Basic facts

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is a European agency based in Paris that provides to European institutions and member states, scientific analysis and studies about the foreign, security and defence policy issues. This agency has been created in 1989 to serve the Western European Union organisation. Nevertheless, after its dissolution, it has been transformed into a European agency. Today its director is Gustav Lindstrom, who has also worked for the European Union and the NATO.

Main Tasks and Goals

Since its creation, the EUISS has been conceived as a scientific branch of the European security and defence cooperation. It is in charge of delivering an expertise in security and defence matters. It proposes its studies to a wide range of actors: European member states, European institutions or organisms and private companies. Every year it produces analytical studies, research and briefings. Moreover, it works jointly with the European External Action Service, the European Security and Defence College, the Directorate-General for International Partnership (European Commission), the European Defence Agency and the European Union Satellite Center. 

However, its expertise is not limited to defence matters. The EUISS observes the current situation of each region of the world to shape a European strategy. Its main publications are the “Chaillot Papers”, which is a periodic study dealing with all subjects of current relevance to the European Union’s security, and the “Year Book”, which summarizes all major events that have challenged the European foreign policy within the year.

Vision

As other well-known think tanks, the EUISS operated mainly in the elaboration of a significant expertise that might be helpful for EU officials and national experts during their decision-making process. However, the EUISS plays a more relevant role than general think tanks. It contributed directly to the development of the decision making of European authorities. Moreover, it facilitates the shaping of common approach. It participates to the implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy. Besides, by its working it strengthens the network between European agencies and European institutions concerning security and defence policy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the EUISS plays a important role in developing and shaping the European foreign and security policy. Its members and experts work to analyse the current security situation all around the world and they try to translate their results in studies useful for decision making.

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