EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTE FOR SECURITY STUDIES (ISS)

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (ISS) was set up in 2002 based on a Council Joint Action on 20th of July 2001, ( OJ L 200, 25th July 2001 ).

Its aim is to help create a common European security culture, to support the strategic debate by providing the best possible interface between European decision-makers and the diverse circles of non-official specialists. The Institute’s activities are directed towards data analysis and recommendations necessary for EU policy-making. Consequently, the Institute contributes to the development of the European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) by executing several main tasks.

1. Organising research and debate on keysecurity and defense issues that are of importance to the European Union.
2. Bringing together academics, officials, experts and decision-makers from the EU member states, other European countries, the United States and Canada in order to provide a forward-looking analysis on defence issues for the EU's Council of Ministers and the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).
3. Developing a transatlantic dialogue on all security issues among the countries of Europe, the United States and Canada in order to raise the profile of the transatlantic relationship and enrich both sides’ approaches to security issues.
4. Offering fellowships in order to expand its network of contacts and synergies with national think tanks. Visiting Fellowships are given to junior academics from all European countries, while Senior Visiting Fellowships are granted to well-known experts.

The Institute has an autonomous status and intellectual freedom, which means that it does not represent or defend any particular national interest. Its activities look collectively and from a “thinking European” point of view at issues that are normally dealt separately by each Member State, allowing for constructive criticism on EU’s current Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).