The European Union has faced the threat of terrorism since its creation. The new transnational nature of the threat we have witnessed since the turn of the millennium, has required the EU to adapt and modernize in order to ensure an effective fight against terrorism. The fight against terrorism has thus become priority since 2001, and especially after 2005, when a new link has emerged between the fight against terrorism and the CSDP. The civilian and military capabilities of the CSDP are a unique tool for crisis management that can also tackle terrorism. At the rhetorical level, the fight against terrorism within the CSDP has become a constant element, however this is not reflected at the operational level. In the past, we have witnessed many missions and operations that have indirectly affected terrorism. In 2012 the first mission with a formal mandate to combat terrorism was finally established. Despite apparent progress, the CSDP still needs to be improved in this area, especially in developing its own counter-terrorism capabilities and institutional shortcomings.
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