Constructive abstention
A country can abstain from voting and then allow the others to take a decision on the basis of unanimity. This principle is inserted in the Common Foreign and Security Policy.The future
The EU Constitution proposes constructive abstention be used in defence matters by those not willing to take part in common military activities, but willing to permit the rest to do so.
Links
http://europa.eu.int/scadplus/leg/en/cig/g4000a.htm#a1
