Paris, 20/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Presidential Committee of the Assembly of the Western European Union approved the Assembly's programme of work up to the end of the year, which comprises reports on a "wide range of topics concerning the EU's emerging ESDP", says a press release. In particular, it was decided to further accelerate the reports by Mark Eyskens on "The role of Europe in a new world order for peace and security", and that of Dieter Schloten on "A European Defence Policy", so as to allow for a timely submission of these reports to the members of the European Convention Working Group, chaired by European Commissioner Michel Barnier. The press release stresses that this Group will start its proceedings on 23 September with a meeting with Javier Solana, who is both the EU High Representative for CFSP and the WEU Secretary-General.
Other reports that the Assembly has to adopt in the coming months concern: - the consequences of the enlargement of NATO and the EU for European Security (Zacchera report); - the current situation of Multinational forces in Europe (Wilkinson report); - the lessons learned from the participation of European forces in international crisis management (Palis report); - arms co-operation in Europe (Piscitello report); - European launcher autonomy (Etherington report).