Development, Security and Energy: Improving Coherence

By Richard Youngs and Amelia Hadfield

Policy Brief No. 2 - October 2008

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Summary

The ethos of EU development policy is changing. Incorporating both political and security goals, EU development co-operation has taken on a more holistic identity. It is increasingly linked to more ambitious outcomes in which good governance, human rights, conflict resolution and the challenges of sustainability all play a part.
This widened scope provides a platform to engage with EU policy on energy security. This document provides a snapshot of the policy connections linking development, broad security goals and specific energy objectives.
Can the EU effectively manage a policy nexus between securitised development and energy security? It certainly has the potential to do so. But fundamental policy changes are required before it can claim to be on the road towards this goal.