Brussels, 18/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Panayotis Ioakimidis, alternative member of the European Convention representing the Greek government, has unveiled his contribution to the Convention on the CFSP and ESDP in which he calls for the abolition of the "anachronistic pillar structure" of the Treaty of the European Union: "The artificial distinction between Communitarian and intergovernmental aspects of foreign policy does not have any longer any real substance. The policy to fight terrorism demonstrates that quite clearly." The Greek government's representatives main demands are:
- The creation of a Council of Defence Ministers;
- Merging the posts of High Representative for CFSP and the Commissioner for External Relations, with a Vice-President of the Commission who would have overall responsibility for foreign policy and external relations and could be "attached simultaneously to the Commission and the Council". Ioakimidis notes, "the combination of these two functions is the logical corollary of the abolition of the pillar structure and the restructuring of the rotating presidency".
- Wider use of qualified majority voting for CFSP, more specifically EU foreign policy actions without military implications could be taken by qualified majority voting on a proposal from the Commission. Opt-out clauses would be needed.
- Greater coordination of diplomatic services without creating a single diplomatic service. Ioakimidis notes that an EU of 25 countries would have around 3000 diplomatic missions in the world, with 30000 diplomats and foreign policy personnel. He suggests setting up "Union embassies/missions in selected third countries or organisations whether eight our interests or other factors so dictate".
- Inserting a mutual assistance clause in the new Treaty, particularly because the EU is planning to extend the range of Petersberg missions to new areas (like fighting terrorism) and the relevant clause in the Brussels Treaty (Western European Union, Clause 5) has "in practice become obsolete". The Greek representative stresses at the same time that "the special position of some Member States in relation to defence matters must be fully taken into consideration. It they are not able to immediately subscribe to such a clause, they must be given the possibly of opting-in at a later stage if they so wish" and it must be ensured that "the evolution of ESDP into a collective system of solidarity does not weaken the Atlantic Alliance, but on the contrary that it strengthens it".
- Introducing enhanced cooperation in ESDP to enable some Member States to undertake defence initiatives or operations, in an enlarged EU and "the diversity in defence cultures, capabilities, interests, perceptions and objectives". "However, whatever defence schemes or operations with limited membership are decided, they must always take place within the legal framework of the Treaties and the institutional structures of the EU".
- Creating a Voluntary Humanitarian Force, of young people, to assist in civilian functions of crisis management and identify with the European project.
