Saint-Malo and the birth of ESDP

European defense has a long history, and has been through many failures. The WEU, the first attempt at a common European alliance was superseded by NATO. The EDC, another attempt at a unified European Defense failed in 1952. During the 1990’s, NATO affirmed that one of its priority was to develop a European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) within NATO. This, basically, means that NATO was supporting the creation of military coherent and effective forces that could operate under the control of the WEU. On December 4th 1998, Prime Minister Tony Blair, and French President Chirac met in a summit in Saint-Malo where they approved the building of ESDI within NATO and the close cooperation between NATO and WEU. The Saint-Malo summit boosted a new European military strategy, and can be considered as the birth of ESDP. Since the Common European Security and Defense Policy (CESDP, known under the name of ESDP) has been through many transformations all along summits, treaties, and practical experience. In a political context of failures to build a common security and defense policy in Europe since the end of World War Two, why do suddenly Mr. Blair and Mr. Chirac decided to sign the Saint-Malo declaration. Many reasons have to be taken into consideration, as for the international context, the will of defining a role of the EU in the world, and all advantages the EU thought it could benefit from an ESDP.

Then, what has made the building of ESDP and the Saint-Malo process necessary?