The European Union Institute for Security Studies

Abstract

The European Union Institute for Security Studies (EU ISS) is one of the most important think tanks of the EU. As an autonomous agency – loosely joining to the EU’s institutional hierarchy while enjoying full intellectual freedom – it primarily conducts research in the fields of foreign, security and defense policy that supports the functioning of the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) and provides background analysis for the High Representative. EUISS (previously WEUISS) gradually evolved from the Western European Union and was established in 2002 in its current form with the primary task to “support the formulation of a shared security culture within the European Union, the planning and development of CSDP and the deepening of the strategic debate”. Its headquarter is situated in Paris. In order to effectively bind experts with decision-makers and to participate in the daily business of the EU, a new office was established in Brussels in 2012 that provides support functions and activities.