Brussels, 09/12/2002 (Agence Europe) - Presenting the work of the defence working group he chairs, Commissioner Michel Barnier mentioned parts of the group's conclusions that will be discussed in detail on 20 December at the working group's final meeting, namely the importance of planning and command in the framework of crisis management; adapting the institutional framework; responding to new threats (he pointed out that some members proposed introducing a collective defence clause in the Treaty but that this did not have consensus support, and "we know that not all Member States have the will or the capacity to make commitments in this domain"); updating the Petersberg missions; setting up a mechanism making it possible to respect commitments in terms of capacities; and the appropriateness of creating an agency responsible for arms and capacities which would in be responsible in particular for meeting European research and arms needs. (See "A Look Behind the News" of 30 November.)
Vice-Chairman Jean-Luc Dehaene, presenting the work of the external policy group he chairs, said that there had been great progress (see the summary of the provisional report in Europe of 6 December, p.6). Noting the consensus over more effective collective action, he stressed that this would also require genuine political will. He felt that the principles and objectives needed to be clarified for a policy that could be based on a strategy defined by the European Council and implemented by an External Relations Council genuinely distinct from the General Affairs Council. He explained that the majority might call for a merger of the post of High Representative and External Relations Commissioner while keeping separate functions. The final report is expected to be adopted on 16 December.
In terms of the reaction of Convention Members (there has not yet been a debate on the issue), the reaction of the British Minister Peter Hain should be noted. He opposed the communitarisation of the CFSP, commenting that many governments agreed with him, adding that he didn't see how a system of two hats could work. The Spanish government representative, Alfonso Dastis, has also expressed doubts on this subject. Hain mentioned the risk in terms of defence of double-acting NATO. The French Foreign Minister, Dominique de Villepin, has called for an ambitious external policy, saying that France favoured an EU Foreign Affairs Minister on the Council combining the competencies of the current High Representative and the Commissioner. In terms of defence, he noted "solidarity of destiny" that he felt should be incorporated in the Treaty.