Fortmann, Michel <br/><br/>
Canada and the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP): A Policy at the Crossroads 

 -  2001.<br/>							 
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<br/><br/> Canada and the European security and defence Policy standing at the crossroads “ Once solely an attractive idea, the issue of a European defence and security has now become a necessary priority.” In spite of the several unsuccessful attempts to create a European defence, the Canadians follow attentively George Robertson, general secretary of NATO, so as to see Europe as a major issue of its foreign policy. Canada does not want to be assimilated to the United States anymore, and fears to be put aside of the European-American relations. Thus, Canada has to present itself as a privileged interlocutor and partner of the European Union (E U), especially on the defence question. Canadian diplomats have united their efforts to introduce a consultation mechanism between Canada and the  EU. However, they had to face the reluctance of Europeans before they could put forward, in December 2000, a “joint declaration between Canada and the EU on defence and security”.