Publication

Security relations between the US and the EU are limited largely to policy on Iran and the Middle East. In the US view a direct link with ESDP is not necessary, since its security co-operation with Europe can take place via NATO. For the Europeans, too, NATO provides the main forum for transatlantic security relations, while they see the ESDP as an instrument for the EU to act independently of the US. Co-operating indirectly through NATO is not an entirely satisfactory option, since this channel is hampered by cumbersome procedures, and consultations are currently blocked by the dispute over Cyprus.