Giving CSDP a chance: a position of "pragmatic scepticism" in Lithuania

ENLithuanian position vis-a-vis European Union (EU) Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) for a number of years might have been defined as cautious and quite sceptical. It was shaped by sever key factors. First of all, the traditional security concept that prevails in Lithuanian defence policy emphasises the predominance of military defence from external military threats to Lithuanian territorial integrity and sovereignty. Second, there is an underlying belief in NATO and the U.S. primacy in security matters. The EU is also considered a security partner but mostly in a form of additional security guarantees of “soft” security nature. Lithuanian National security strategy commits Lithuania to be an active and responsible member of the EU which Lithuania does by participating in the CSDP institutions, initiatives and operations. The White Paper on Defence Policy states that Lithuania supports reinforcement of CSDP, which provides additional security measures, encourages the EU initiatives contributing to the development of European capabilities and is committed to the promotion of solidarity among the EU member states in the field of security and defence. Main directions of Lithuanian CSDP policy are strengthening the EU ability to rapidly respond to hybrid threats, cooperation with Eastern Partnership countries, development of the EU crisis response capabilities (in particular through participation in battle groups), as well enhancement of NATO–EU cooperation. Similar notions are echoed in the Lithuanian Military Strategy which underlines Lithuanian contribution to the creation of “effective and value adding EU foreign, security and defence policy” and “European civilian and military capabilities”. [...].