Porto Carras, 19/06/2003 (Agence Europe) - The premise of the document by Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP and which outlined the main lines for European security policy began with the words, "With a Union of 25 countries and a population of more than 450 million people, together with production that is a quarter of world production (GDP), the European Union is a world player; it must be ready to share the responsibility for security in the world".
For the enlarged Union of 25 to be able to meet the threats to which it is confronted (terrorism, proliferation of arms of mass destruction and rogue States), the documents calls for a "Strong Europe in a better world" and proposes a three objective strategy that aims to ensure stability in EU neighbouring countries, as well as putting international order in place, internationally, that is founded on genuine multilateralism that will demand the EU and its Member States to meet concrete commitments (such as the common use of civilian and military capability). After being discussed on Thursday evening by the Heads of State and Government and the Foreign Ministers during a separate dinner, the document - which is the first step in a process to define a "European Security Strategy" - will be the subject of considerable debate by the Heads of State and Government as well as Foreign Ministers on Friday, during their joint lunch. Javier Solana is expected to receive a mandate from the Council to develop a more substantial document later.
The three strategic aims proposed by the document are to: (1) extend the security area around the EU and promote "to the East of the European Union and to the borders of the Mediterranean Basin an arc of well governed countries with which close relations founded on cooperation are possible" (Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, Southern Caucasus, settlement of the Israeli-Arab conflict); (2) strengthen the law and international institutions and, above all, the United Nations. "If we want the international organisations, the regimes and treaties to play their role when confronted by the threats against peace and international security, then we must be ready to act when their rules are not respected" the document states. Furthermore, it recommends "preventive commitment" toward rogue States that are outlawed by the international community in order to help them (via trading or development policies) to reintegrate. However, "those who refuse to do so should understand that there is a price to pay, mainly in their relations with the European Union", the document states; (3) face up to the threats by developing polyvalent and multiple responses such as export controls to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, recourse to intelligence and to military, political and other means to combat terrorism, and by using economic, military and humanitarian instruments for the States in decline.
In order to meet these aims, the EU must: - be able to carry out several operations at the same time; - develop its capabilities by giving greater resources to defence; - place in common the existing defence means in Member Sates in order to avoid duplication and cost; - set up more effective provisions for planning and the support for missions in the civilian area; - strengthen the EU's diplomatic capacity by setting in place a system allowing for Member State and European institutions' resources to be combined; - share intelligence between member States and partners better; - enlarge the Petersberg tasks especially joint disarmament operations and aid to third countries in the fight against terrorism and in security reforms; - cooperate with its partners by tabling on the transatlantic relationship and by establishing strategic partnerships with actors such as Russia, Canada, Japan and India.