The Security Challenge of Small EU Member States: Interests, Identity and the Development of the EU as a Security Actor*

Abstract

How are small EU Member States affected by the development of the European Union (EU) as a security actor? This article argues that the European integration project emerged as an almost ideal security organization for the region’s small states after the cold war, but that subsequent development challenges important aspects of the security identity and interests of small EU Member States. Even though the EU continues as an attractive security organization for most small states in the region, they must now reconsider some of their most basic strategic choices in order to meet the challenges and maximize influence over future developments.