The external action of the European Union (eu) requires to adopt a holistic approach to be properly understood : the notion of human security makes such an approach possible. This notion can be defined as an ideal situation characterised by the effectiveness of human rights. Yet, it is striking to observe that eu institutions have endorsed the notion of human security in the key texts of the European external action, in particular in the revised European Security Strategy (2008). Besides, eu external policies have a common goal consisting in protecting and operationalizing human rights. Thus, we can assert that the eu acts implicitly on the international stage as if it complies itself to an human security-driven approach.