On 17–18 March 2022, SIPRI hosted an expert workshop titled ‘Towards a New Civilian CSDP Compact’. The workshop took place in a hybrid format in Stockholm and virtually.
The Civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Compact—which European Union (EU) member states adopted in 2018 to make the EU’s civilian crisis management missions more capable, effective and joined up—is due for delivery next year. Currently, some of its key features are being put to the test by the war in Ukraine, which underscores that investment in this instrument must continue after the current compact ends. EU member states have therefore agreed to establish a new Civilian CSDP Compact by mid 2023.
The aim of the two-day workshop was to support the development of a new Civilian CSDP Compact to ensure that efforts to strengthen civilian CSDP will continue after 2023. This is in line with the political guidance and strategic direction provided by the ‘Strategic Compass’, which was adopted by the Council of the EU on 21 March. The purpose of the workshop was to facilitate frank and open discussions to identify and narrow down themes and questions that the EU and its member states must address further so that they can agree on an ambitious new compact in 2023.
The workshop brought together more than 80 officials and experts from EU member states, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Centre of Excellence for Civilian Crisis Management and the European think tank community.
The workshop was conducted under the Chatham House Rule.