Definition of Abstention, constructive (positive abstention)

Abstention, constructive (positive abstention)
Constructive abstention is the idea of allowing a Member State to abstain on a vote in Council under the common foreign and security policy, without blocking a unanimous decision.

This option was introduced by the Treaty of Amsterdam in the new Article 23 of the EU Treaty. If constructive abstention is accompanied by a formal declaration, the Member State in question is not obliged to apply the decision but must accept that it commits the Union. The Member State must then refrain from any action that might conflict with Union action based on that decision.

See:

•Common foreign and security policy (CFSP)
•Treaty of Amsterdam