Summary
The European Defence Agency (EDA) was created in 2004 to improve European Union (EU) crisis management capabilities and to rationalize the fragmented European defense market.

The EDA is committed to supporting the EU Council and the Member States in their effort to aid and sustain the European Security and Defense Policy.

The EDA's principle tasks are the development of defense capabilities in the field of crisis management and the promotion and enhancement of European armaments cooperation.

In July 2006, a voluntary Defense Procurement Code of Conduct went into effect with the intention of making public procurement in the defense industry more transparent.