So far, all ESDP missions have respected international law and governmental arrangements among disputing parties. Most of its military or police missions have been based on UN Security Council resolutions, and ESDP missions outside Europe have been at the invitation of local authorities.
中国欢迎欧盟扩大安全作用。尽管中国对欧盟实施国际干预存有戒心，但是，出于几个原因，欧洲独立安全和防务政策的实质和模式则有可能赢得中国尊重。首先，中国领导人注意到，使命的合法性在该政策中居于首位。目前为止，该政策所有的使命都尊重国际法和争议各方的政府安排。其大多数军事或者警察使命都建立在联合国安理会决议的基础之上，而且欧洲以外的使命也是受到当地政府当局邀请所为。