Brussels, 21/11/2000 (Agence Europe) - Following the Capabilities Commitment Conference of the Fifteen of 20 November, the Defence Ministers of the member counries of the European Union met for the first time, on 21 November, with their counterparts from third European countries, first in "15+15" format (the 12 applicant countries, including three NATO member countries - Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic - plus the three European allies not members of the EU - Turkey, Norway, Iceland), and then in "15+6" format (the six allied European countries not members of the EU).
French Defence Minister Alain Richard told the press that these countries had announced (or are to do so soon) "substantial contributions", but that what was even more important, was to have shown the "political will" of partnership.
In his view, one of the lessons to be learnt from these developments is that the ESDP approach is convincing and that the partners from over the Atlantic "support" it. Of course, he continued, contributions are voluntary and troops remain under national control.
Some of the fifteen countries announced concrete contributions - first of all Turkey with a unit of the size of a reinforced brigade, around 4000 to 5000 men, according to diplomatic sources - and others will soon make their offers known, but it will be up to the capitals to publish exact figures. On the subject of the cooperation scheme foreseen for these countries, Mr Richard spoke of four kinds of contracts: regular collaboration at the level of experts and the setting in place of a representative at the EU Staff, its Military Committee and Political and Security Committee. In his opening speech to the meeting, Mr Richard stressed that the contributions proposed will be examined according to the "same requirements that we would impose on ourselves". Concerning the means for participation by third countries, he explained that the French Presidency plans to propose a global package of proposals for the European Council of Nice, proposals which are at this stage approved at the level of the political decision-makers of the Foreign Ministries.
In the phase when crises emerge, which is the most important phase at political level, the EU, explained Mr Richard, has taken into account the expectations shown, on four fundamental points, by the third countries: - the possibility, even before the EU had defined its own orientation, of making their concerns heard; - the possibility, before a solution for resolving the crisis is adopted by the EU, of being informed in good time of the EU's intentions on the military options envisaged; - the possibility of being informed on planning work before the adoption of the Operations Concept; - the possibility, once invited to take part but before formally contributing, of designating liaison officers with the planing staffs. Finally, during the crisis management within the committee of contributors, which may deal with all the questions of current management, the third countries deploying significant military forces will, on these issues, have the same rights and responsibilities as the other EU-member contributor countries, while the COPS would naturally keep the strategic lead and political control, and the Committee of Contributors is the "main forum for discussion in its relevant spheres", said Mr Richard.