Brussels, 24/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - Following the deadlock, since last December, in talks between military experts from the European Union and Atlantic Alliance on EU/NATO cooperation in the military field, an initial contact was made last week between General Schuwirth, EU Military Chief of Staff, and Rear Admiral Haddocks, NATO's Director of the International Military Staff. The main problems to be settled include the question of knowing what Alliance means and assets can be made available for EU-led operations without NATO intervention, as well as options concerning a European command.
A document on this last issue is to be approved in coming days at NATO, essentially based on the arrangements concluded in the past between the Alliance and the WEU. According to this text, Deputy SACEUR (D-SACEUR), which is traditionally (and in rotation) held by a German or British national, should have the overall responsibility of an EU-led operation, in normal times and in times of crisis. One may ask, however, how EU member countries that do not belong to NATO will react to this and whether they will still agree for the D-SACEUR to be either German or British.
As for Ankara's displeasure concerning the consultation mechanism provided for by the EU for European allies not members of the EU who would like to participate in an EU-led operation, sources in Brussels assure that the Turkish authorities are trying to be "flexible". However, officials in Ankara would like to have greater influence over Union operations which, they point out, would most likely take place in regions close to Turkey.