www.isis-europe.org

ISIS Europe was set up in 1995 to enhance the role of parliaments in the scrutiny of foreign and defence policy, and to increase transparency in European Union (EU) decision-making in this area. The original rationale behind servicing the European Parliament (EP) was predicated on the fact that decisions with defence and security implications are increasingly made in an intergovernmental context and that the EP has a vital role to play as the sole democratic body tasked specifically with the scrutiny and oversight of such intergovernmental decision-making processes. This rationale still stands. Indeed, it has been borne out by recent developments, including the establishment of a Common European Security and Defence Policy.

ISIS Europe works to improve discussion and decision-making on security and defence issues both within and between European Union (EU) institutions, while seeking to widen the debate and increase EU transparency and accountability through the involvement of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society. ISIS Europe is motivated by a desire to mainstream EU conflict prevention policies and develop EU peace-building capacities.

ISIS Europe fosters inter-institutional and civil society engagement in policy debates through a variety of activities. These include:

1. Organising regular Arms Transfers Working Group meetings at the European Parliament.

2. Organising EU-NGO CFSP Contact Group meetings on a variety of topics. Recent topics have included:

• Making the CFSP work: Institutional changes and their impact on the European Parliament
• The Role of the Non-Aligned EU Member States in Shaping the Common European Security and Defence Policy
• The Development of CESDP: Managing EU-NATO Relations
• Developing the civilian aspects of the Common European Security and Defence Policy
• EU Co-operation with ACP countries in Armed Conflicts: Developing a coherent strategy

3. Organising conferences on EU security and defence:
· December 2000: Enhancing the EU's Response to Violent Conflict: Moving Beyond Reaction to Preventive Action
· November 1999: EU Restructuring and Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management
· September 1998: The Future of the European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy.

4. Publishing ISIS Europe Briefing Papers. The following are a selection of Papers published:
No. 21: The European Parliament's Role in Scrutinising Defence and Security: An Uncertain Future, Catriona Gourlay, February 1999
No. 17: The OSCE, NAT0, and European Security in the Twenty-First Century, Bruce George MP and John Borawski, January 1998.
No. 14: The European Union's Common Foreign and Security Policy: The Policy Planning Dimension, Andrew Dolan, November 1997
No. 7: The Re-Structuring of Europe's Armed Forces, David Yates, October 1996.
No. 5: The Future of the European Armaments Capability, Dr. Philip Gummett, July 1996.
No. 3: France and Military Satellites: Implications for European Security, Dr. Shaun Gregory, April 1996.
No. 2: The Defence Dimension of the 1GC An Alternative Agenda, Dr. Patricia Chilton, March 1996.

5. Finally, ISIS Europe manages an electronic mailing list with approximately 200 subscribers. Information concerning events, publications, etc., is posted to the list on a regular basis. Interested individuals can subscribe at: http://ls.kuleuven.ac.be/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=cfspgrp&A=1

OR Send an e-mail to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.CC.KULEUVEN.AC.BE
In the body of the message, type SUBSCRIBE CFSPGRP <your name here>

For further information about ISIS Europe, please visit our website www.isis-europe.org or contact us by e-mail at info@isis-europe.org