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German Proposal on ESDI Unveiled
Complete Document
16 March 1999
The German government submitted its proposals on ESDI
to the EU informal foreign ministers meeting on 13-14 March
1999.
Strengthening the Common Policy on
Security and Defence
I. Introduction
The Treaty of Amsterdam, which is expected to enter
into force this spring, foresees the enhancement of the Common
Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) including the development
of a Common European Defence Policy (CEDP). The Treaty also
provides for the possibility of integration of WEU into EU,
should the European Council so decide.
The European Council in Vienna welcomed the new impetus
given to the debate ona common European policy on security
and defence. It considered that in order for the EU to be
in a position to play its full role on the international stage,
CFESP must be backed by credible operational capabilities.
Furthermore, it welcomed the Franco-British declaration made
on 4 December 1998 in St. Malo.
This initiative and work in hand for the NATO Washington
Summit will also strengthen the European pillar of the
Alliance, enabling the European Allies to take greater responsibility
for their common security and defence.
The European Council invited the German presidency to further
this debate and agreed to examine the question again at the
European Council in Cologne.
The WEU Ministerial Council in Bremen will also present
an appropriate opportunity to discuss this question on the
basis of the informal reflection which was initiated at the
Rome Ministerial Council.
II. Guiding principles
- The aim is to strengthen CFSP and complement it by the
development of a Common European policy on security and
defence. This requires a capacity for action backed by credible
military capabilities and appropriate decision making bodies.
Decisions to act would be taken within the institutional
framework of the European Union. The European Union Council
would thus be able to make decisions on the whole range
of activities in the external relations of the Union (trade,
CFSP, Defence).
The Amsterdam Treaty incorporates the Petersberg
tasks ("humanitarian and rescue tasks, peace-keeping tasks
and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including
peace-making") into the Treaty.
The focus of our efforts therefore would be to
assure that Europe possesses appropriate capabilities
(including military capabilities) and structures to conduct
crisis management in the scope of the Petersberg tasks.
This is the area where a European capacity to act is required
most urgently.
- The efforts to strengthen European defence and security
contribute to the vitality and effectiveness of the Atlantic
Alliance by strengthening its European pillar. This
shall lead to more complementarity, co-operation and synergy.
The Alliance remains the foundation of the collective defence
of its members. The commitments under Article 5 of the Washington
Treaty and Article V of the Brussels Treaty will be preserved
although there will be a need to review the institutional
basis for the latter, in the understanding that whatever
happens to the modified Brussels Treaty Article V, the collective
security guarantee will continue to apply only to those
who are NATO allies.
- The requirements for the successful creation of a European
defence capability will include
- the ability of all EU member states to participate fully
in European operations drawing on NATO assets and capabilities;
- satisfactory arrangements for European NATO members who
are not EU member states to be associated with policies
in the field of defence and with Petersberg operations;
- arrangements to ensure EU/NATO transparency and consultation.
In addition, the possibility for involvement of Associate
Partners of WEU needs further consideration.
- For the effective implementation of its operations, the
European Union will be able to choose, according to the
requirements of the case, either
- EU-led operations using NATO assets and capabilities and
- EU-led operations without recourse to NATO assets and
capabilities.
This requires in particular:
- the means for effective EU decision making in the
field of security and defence policy and
- the necessary capabilities including military capabilities.
As regards EU decision making in the field of security
and defence policy, necessary arrangements have to be made
which will also ensure political control and strategic direction
of EU-led operations.
Furthermore, the EU will need a capacity for analysis of
situations, sources of intelligence, and a capacity for relevant
strategic planning.
This may require in particular:
- regular meetings (or ad hoc) of the General Affairs Council,
including Defence Ministers;
- a permanent body consisting of representatives with pol/mil
expertise;
- an EU Military Committee consisting of Military Representatives;
- a Military Staff including the Situation Centre;
- other resources as Satellite Centre, Institute for Security
Studies.
As regards military capabilities, nations need to
develop further forces (including force headquarters) that
are suited also for crisis management operations. The main
characteristics include: deployability, sustainability, interoperability,
flexibility and mobility.
Any unnecessary duplication with regard to existing
capabilities within NATO has to be avoided.
- For autonomous European led operations, the EU
could use either European capabilities preidentified within
NATO's European pillar or multinational or national European
means outside the NATO framework.
In the case of the EU having recourse to NATO assets
and capabilities, including European command arrangements,
the main focus should be on the following aspects:
- Conclusion of the arrangements based on the Berlin decisions
of 1996 by the time of the Washington NATO summit in April
1999.
- Further arrangements to secure automatic access to planning
capabilities in NATO and a presumption of access to NATO
assets and capabilities for European led operations
- Need for transfer to the EU of the arrangements between
WEU and NATO on the European side (without renegotiation)
III. The Way Ahead
After discussion at ministerial level the presidency will
prepare its report for the European Council in Cologne which
should reflect common principles on the future of European
security and defence.
The Presidency will also reflect on possible conclusions
for the European Council in Cologne. In drawing up such conclusions,
the Presidency will try to answer the following questions:
- How can we create the conditions for a common European
policy on security and defence providing for homogenous
action in European crisis management within the EU?
- What will be the consequences for the future of WEU taking
into account Article 17 of the EU Treaty which provides
for the possibility of integrating WEU into the EU?
- How can European military capabilities be developed further
with regard to Petersberg tasks and in accordance with the
decisions of the NATO summit in Washington in April?
- Does this also require harmonisation of the requirements,
development and procurement as well as further enhancement
of cooperation of European defence industries?
8 March 1999
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