Paris, 02/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - The speech given by Javier Solana before the annual conference of the EU Institute on Security Studies (see yesterday's EUROPE, p.5) was followed by a debate with the directors of security institutes of European countries, representatives of EU institutions and other eminent persons. Mr Solana insisted on the need for "indepth improvements" in the way things should work between the EU and the United States, stressing that, for the first time in centuries, Europe has the possibility to speak clearly. It must "speak true" to the Muslim world, maintain pressure on Israel "with perseverance" and above all give itself the means to act: if Europe wants to have worldwide responsibility, it must have real military capabilities alongside its political will. This involves a serious and vigorous effort of rationalisation in the field of the military industry.
More generally, Mr Solana insisted on the imperious need for the EU to change its current rotating Presidency system. Third countries find it "quite incomprehensible" that their European policy interlocutor should change every six months. This was possible when the EU did not have "external responsibilities" or political dialogue with third countries. It is essential to reflect on a solution. Mr Solana added that he has several ideas in this respect, but that it is up to the Convention to act.
During the afternoon there was a Round Table discussion on the "Convention and the future of CFSP", the four speakers being Jacques Delors, former Swedish Prime Minister Carl Bildt, former Polish Foreign Minister Bronislaw Geremek and MEP Elmar Brok (CDU). The projects of institutional reform and the work of the Convention were the subject of a lively discussion. Opinions were not always the same. Above all, Jacques Delors made caustic remarks about several aspects. Our heading "Look Behind the News" in tomorrow's EUROPE will be devoted to this.