Arbeit zur Erlangung des Master of Philosophy Universität Wales; Gutachter: J. Baylis, F. Butler. Inhaltsübersicht: I. The development of WEU, EC and EPC until 1989; II. The security environment in Europe after 1989/1990: 1. The changes in Central and Eastern Europe in 1989/1990 and the dissolution of the Warsaw Treaty Organisation; 2. Security implications of German unification; 3. CSCE - NATO - WEU: new organisational developments. III. The WEU and the European Union in context - theoretical background and special problems: 1. Re-activating the underlying security rationale of European integration; 2. Military and non-military aspects of security in Europe; 3. Why the WEU and not NATO?; 4. Special problems. IV. Implications of the Treaty on European Union: 1. The relevant provisions of the Treaty; 2. Evaluating the first steps towards implementation; 3. On the relevance of the concept of international organisations; 4. Conclusions. V. Reflections on the WEU's future: 1. The NATO-WEU relationship; 2. The CSCE-WEU relationship; 3. 1996: Integrating the WEU into the EU? Annex I: WEU Contribution to the European Union Intergovernmental Conference of 1996. Annex II: Reflection Group's Report (excerpts).