Security and defence policy.
- The importance of common defence is reflected in a change of title to "Common Security and Defence Policy" from today's "European Security and Defence Policy".
- The EU "will move" towards a common defence policy, although this can only be based on unanimous decision and must respect states' constitutional requirements.
- The 26th amendment to the Irish Constitution, approved during ratification of the Nice Treaty, prohibits Ireland from joining common defence arrangements.
- Groups of member states are permitted to move ahead on their own in integrating defence structures using a procedure called "structured cooperation". Ireland can opt in or out.
- States are encouraged to "undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities", although no specific level of defence spending is mandated.
- Solidarity clause: in the case of state aggression, terrorist attack or disaster, EU states are committed to act in a spirit of solidarity. Ireland can still decline a request for military assistance if this would breach its constitutional safeguards.
- Lisbon introduces a specific legal base for humanitarian aid for the first time.
EXERPTS FROM LISBON TREATY
Military capabilities
"Member States shall undertake progressively to improve their military capabilities. The agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments (hereinafter referred to as 'the European Defence Agency') shall identify operational requirements, shall promote measures to satisfy those requirements, shall contribute to identifying and, where appropriate, implementing any measure needed to strengthen the industrial and technological base of the defence sector, shall participate in defining a European capabilities and armaments policy, and shall assist the council in evaluating the improvement of military capabilities."
Solidarity clause
"If a Member State is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain member states."
Common defence
"The common security and defence policy shall include the progressive framing of a common Union defence policy. This will lead to a common defence, when the European Council, acting unanimously, so decides. It shall in that case recommend to the member states the adoption of such a decision in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements."