Political and Security Committee (PSC)

The Political and Security Committee is a Committee of the Council of the European Union dealing with the common foreign and security policy (CFSP) mentioned in Article 38 of the Treaty on European Union.

It comprises representatives from the 28 EU countries (1). Its remit is:

to monitor the international situation in the areas covered by the CFSP;
to contribute to the definition of policies;
to monitor implementation of policies without prejudice to the powers of the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

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