Mission and objectives

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) is the Union’s agency dealing with the analysis of foreign, security and defense policy issues.

The Institute was set up in January 2002 as an autonomous agency under the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) [Council Joint Action 2001/554, now regulated by Council Decision 2014/75/CFSP] to foster a common security culture for the EU, support the elaboration and projection of its foreign policy, and enrich the strategic debate inside and outside Europe. Based in Paris, with a Liaison Office in Brussels, the EUISS is now an integral part of the new structures that underpin the further development of the CFSP/CSDP.

The Institute’s core mission is to provide analyses and fora for discussion that can be of use and relevance to the formulation of EU policy. In carrying out that mission, it also acts as an interface between European experts and decision-makers at all levels. The main focus of research on Euromed/Middle East is on security and strategic challenges within the region and implications for Europe and the European Union.