Abstract
In 2002-2003, the European Union discussed future shape of the European Security and Defence Policy within the framework of the general debate on the future of Europe. The proposal of the "gang of four" led some authors to a conclusion that conflicting visions of European defence had been revealed.
The paper argues that there is still a general agreement on the two key issues: NATO remains the core of European security and it is necessary to avoid unnecessary duplication between NATO and ESDP. The compromise among Member States regarding planning capabilities of the EU may turn out to be based on the idea that creating a more robust planning capacity in the Council Secretariat does not represent an unnecessary duplication.