Role of interim bodies responsible for EU defence and security policy

Brussels, 11/02/2000 (Agence Europe) - As we have already indicated (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.3) The General Affairs Council must decide on Monday over the creation of interim bodies which will be responsible for the European Union's security and defence policy, while awaiting the creation of the permanent bodies. Certain questions are still to be finalised by the Ministers themselves, concerning , in particular, the bodies who will be giving the instructions to the future military personnel (foreshadowing an European military staff) and the Presidency of the Political and Security Committee (which should not necessarily coincide with the regular rotation of the Council Presidencies, according to certain member States who are considering, in the future, a longer duration - for example two or three years - in this new body; though this idea is not unanimously supported). On Monday the Council will decide on the creation as of 1 March, with the official launch on the 23 March, on the sidelines of the Extraordinary Council in Lisbon, for the following bodies:

• Political and Security Committee: made up of Member State representatives based in the Permanent Representations to the EU. The Committee will ensure in close co-operation with the High Representative for the CFSP Javier Solana, the day to day management of the security and defence policy. It concerns high level civil servants equivalent for all member States (deputy political Director, so as to insure, in particular, that they have direct access to their respective political Directors), who will meet once a week or more often if necessary while the Political Committee continue to meet at least once a month at the political Directors level.
• Interim military Committee, formed by representative to the Chief of defence for the member States. It will meet at least once every six months or more often if necessary and will work in close contact with Javier Solana.

Furthermore military experts from the Member States will assist the military Committee in its duties while awaiting the creation of at permanent European chiefs of staff. In particular they will have an operational role in terms of early warning, of situation assessment and strategic planning.