The CFSP objectives were:
- to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests and independence of the Union
- to strengthen the security of the Union and its Member States in all ways
- to preserve peace and strengthen international security
- to promote international cooperation
- to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.’
In order to achieve those objectives, the Treaty provided for ‘systematic cooperation between Member States’ on foreign and security policy issues. The CFSP enabled the EU to conduct coordinated diplomatic activity on a global level: this has had important consequences in terms of preparing accession to the EU for applicant countries and developing political dialogue with specific geographical areas of strategic relevance (e.g. Asia, Africa and Latin America). The CFSP brought together and built on the mechanisms and achievements of European Political Cooperation (EPC), originally set up in 1970, and sketched the outlines of a common security and defence policy.
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