Political and Security Committee (PSC)

The glossary is being updated given the recent signing of the Treaty of Lisbon.

The Political and Security Committee (PSC, or COPS, as it is also known by its French acronym) is the permanent body in the field of common foreign and security policy mentioned in Article 25 of the Treaty on European Union.

It is made up of the political directors of the Member States' foreign ministries. Its remit is:

• to monitor the international situation in the areas covered by the common foreign and security policy (CFSP);
• to contribute to the definition of policies;
• to monitor implementation of the Council's decisions.

Under the responsibility of the Council, the Committee exercises political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations. It may thus be authorised by the Council to take decisions on the practical management of a crisis. It is assisted by a Politico-Military Group, a Committee for Civilian Aspects of Crisis Management, and the Military Committee (MC) and Military Staff (MS).

Following the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam, establishment of the Committee was agreed in principle at the Helsinki European Council in December 1999. The Committee was originally temporary but became a standing body after the Nice European Council in December 2000.

See:

• Common foreign and security policy (CFSP)
• European security and defence policy (ESDP)