(2020-0290-F) European Security and Defense Policy

The materials in FOIA 2020-0290-F are a selective body of documents responsive to the topic of the FOIA. Researchers should consult the archivist about related material. This FOIA request was for textual records related to European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). European Security and Defense Policy is now–March of 2022–called Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and is a function of the European Union (EU). ESDP is a defensive alliance of European states. It began in 1948 with ten member states and was modified in 1954. At that time, it was called the Western European Union (WEU). The primary goal of the WEU was for member states to provide a common defense of Europe from external aggression. The WEU was expanded in 1954, 1988, and 1995. In 1991, the WEU created Observer Status and in 1994 created Associate Status, effectively expanding membership. The United States is not a member, observer, or associate of the WEU, ESDP, or CSDP. Member states within the ESDP have, however, participated in NATO actions and joint military operations with the United States. Through the early twenty-first century, the member states and partners of the EU further ratified and agreed to a common defense system. By June of 2011 the WEU was effectively incorporated into the governance and agreements of the EU and the organization was closed on June 30, 2011. Records in this collection date primarily to 2000 though there are some records from late 1999. The records include staff and office files of Antony Blinken as well as discussions related to NATO expansion and the former Soviet states. A significant number of records in this collection remain closed as national security information.