01/04/2010 (Agence Europe) - Invoking the mutual assistance clause contained in the Lisbon treaty (Article 42.7), 10 states of the Western European Union (WEU), including Belgium, France, Germany, Greece; Spain and the United Kingdom, decided on Wednesday 31 March to terminate the Modified Brussels Treaty, thereby dissolving the WEU. In a statement adopted on Wednesday, the parties undertake to encourage “as appropriate the enhancement of inter-parliamentary dialogue” in the field of security and defence, which has hitherto been the preserve of the Assembly of the WEU (European Security and Defence Assembly). The decision will become effective within the timelines prescribed in the Modified Brussels Treaty and “preferably by the end of June 2011”, the parties say in a statement. (A.By./transl.rt)