The Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the European Union was established under the Maastricht Treaty of 1992.

Among the aims of the CFSP are: to preserve peace and strengthen international security in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter; to promote international co-operation; and to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Amsterdam Treaty of 1997 created an operational arm for the CFSP, the European Secuirty and Defence Policy (ESDP).

As a result of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in December 2009, the ESDP was replaced by the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).  Ms. Catherine Ashton was nominated as the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Her role is to steer foreign and common defence policy. She also represents the Union on the international stage in the field of the CFSP.

The EU Monitoring Mission in Georgia was set up in September 2008 under the  framework of the ESDP.