Influence of Belgium within EU Defence Decision-Making

Details

Supervisors

Delreux, Tom

Faculty

Institut d'études européennes Saint-Louis

Degree label

Master de spécialisation interdisciplinaire en études européennes (horaire décalé)

Abstract

enThis master’s thesis research analyzes how Belgium, through its military actors, influences EU decision-making within the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), with a specific focus on the Military Mobility file (2020–2026). It starts from the central question of how Belgian military actors contribute to shaping EU defence policy and to what extent national preferences are visible in European policy outcomes. Based on a qualitative single case study, EU documents, Belgian policy papers and semi-structured interviews are analyzed. The research reconstructs the decision-making process and identifies the key moments and mechanisms of influence. The results show that Belgium uses a “smart state strategy,” where expertise, institutional presence in Brussels and coalition-building (for example with Germany, the Netherlands and Poland) are more important than material power. The Belgian Military Representation (BelMilRep) mainly acts as an interface, while real influence comes from a broader network of military and administrative actors. In the Military Mobility file, it appears that a large part of Belgian preferences was effectively reflected in EU outcomes, especially in technical issues and institutional choices. The research confirms that medium-sized member states within the European Union can exercise significant influence through expertise and strategic positioning, rather than through power.