Brussels, 10/05/2000 (Agence Europe) - The EU Council services responsible for common foreign and security policy (CFSP) and security and defence policy (ESDP) will move into a building on Kortenberg street that will be equipped so as to guarantee the required high level of security. In the longer-term, the Council is considering acquiring, renting or building and new building close to its Justus Lipsius building, so that the same CFSP and ESDP services can be grouped into a central building.
This two phase solution was maintained by the Council notably following comments by its Secretary General and High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana on the need for particularly high security standards for documents and activities relating to foreign and defence policy. Certainly, security standards exist for all the services, but in the framework of the CFSP and ESDP access to offices, documents, etc. must answer to special requirements.
It was initially envisaged to buy or rent a building close to Justus Lipsius (part of the Residence Palace), but the Belgian authorities that own it already earmarked it for other purposes. The solution consisted of renovating a section of the Justus Lipsius building was taken into consideration, but the necessary work would have had a significant cost and would have the affected the normal running of the Council. This is why the Ministers decided to start by renovating the building on Kortenberg Street, adding that:
- The Secretary General has the mandate to contact the Belgian authorities so as to determine the conditions for the construction, acquisition or rental of a new building close to Justus Lipsius;
- The budgetary decisions for the renovation of the building on Kortenberg street must be taken as quickly as possible so as to avoid all delays in the implementation of the ESDP;
- The relocating of certain services in the building on Frére-Orban Square is not brought into question.