France with its turbulent history, of foreign affairs and rich culture, has over the centuries been a fascinating topic of academic research for historians, political scientists, lawyers, sociologists, culture experts and publicists. And no wonder, since this country – as a continental superpower – was always conducting its politicson a global scale and was – still is – an important player in the international arena. From medieval times, the 17th century especially, France has been considered an important centre of European and world culture, even of civilisation in general, who’s status and role grew stronger in the Napoleonic era, when the French language became the language of diplomacy and politics, the language of people of science and culture. Culture, its rich content and spiritual values quickly became a part of France’s foreign policy. 

The publication is another title falling into the subject: Common European Safety and Defense Policy. However, it diff ers from previous depictions of European Union’s activity in the second pillar. €The author’s aim was an analysis of a development of European identity in the fi eld of safety and defense from its origins, that is activities taken and decisions made in the second half of the 1940s. € e author has followed through the European safety and defense policy from the moment of shaping its conception (Pleven plan) and setting up the European Defence Community until setting up the European Defence Agency. €The treaty instituting the European Defence Community deserves a special attention. It is the first presentation of such important Western Europe’s striving for creating the European armed forces in the literature of the subject.