A Small Step for Capability, a Significant Leap for “Military Erasmus”

Abstract

The first European Security and Defence Policy Seminar was meant to have a strong impact on the education and strengthening of the European identity of young military Offi cers from European Union Member States, especially the ones who came from Military Academies. The initiative had its origin in the second half of 2008 under the French Presidency of the Union. The goal established was to achieve a “Military Erasmus”. In the first half of 2009, Portugal offered to host the pilot course, which received a laudable response from the majority of EU Member States and was supported by the High Representative for the ESDP.