As stated by the Council in its report, the key political developments in 2003 were basically the adoption of the new European Security Strategy by the European Council of 12 December 2003, alongside the adoption of the EU Strategy against the proliferation of WMDs, the development of the military capabilities needed for the European Union crisis management including the declaration on the Union's operational capabilities under the Helsinki Deadline Goal (despite recognition of various shortfalls), the creation of the European Defence Agency and the launching of two civilian ESDP operations and the first two military operations (Operation Concordia and Operation Artemis).
As stated by the Council in its report, the key political developments in 2003 were basically the adoption of the new European Security Strategy by the European Council of 12 December 2003, alongside the adoption of the EU Strategy against the proliferation of WMDs, the development of the military capabilities needed for the European Union crisis management including the declaration on the Union's operational capabilities under the Helsinki Deadline Goal (despite recognition of various shortfalls), the creation of the European Defence Agency and the launching of two civilian ESDP operations and the first two military operations (Operation Concordia and Operation Artemis).