BRUSSELS — 2009 is a landmark year for the European Union's role in the world. It marks 10 years of the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), during which the EU became a global provider of security, making a real difference to people's lives all over the world.

At the same time, we are on the threshold of a new era when the Lisbon Treaty enters into force and provides fresh impetus for our external action. In 10 years, we have deployed 20 operations on three continents to prevent violence, restore peace and rebuild after a conflict.

From Kabul to Pristina, from Ramallah to Kinshasa, the EU is monitoring borders, overseeing peace agreements, training police forces, building up criminal justice systems and protecting shipping from pirate attacks. Thanks to our achievements, we are receiving more and more calls to help in a crisis or after a war. We have the credibility, the values and the will to do this.