Brussels, 20/10/2003 (Agence Europe) - The joint meeting between the EU's Political and Security Committee (COPS) and the North Atlantic Council (NAC) to be held on Tuesday evening in Brussels is mainly expected to be devoted to the results of the European Council on 16 and 17 October on the subject of European defence. During this summit the EU Member States pledged, according to Silvio Berlusconi, to "give the European Union an appropriate defence policy". In more concrete terms, there was a consensus during the European Council between EU Heads of State and Government to accept the principle of "structured cooperation" in European defence (allowing a number of Member States wishing to go forward in this matter to take joint initiatives: see EUROPE of 18 October, pages 3 and 5).
Prior to this, the results of the European Summit in Brussels will have been the subject of a discussion between the ambassadors of the 19 NATO member countries, during an informal NAC meeting on the subject on Monday afternoon in Brussels. During the meeting of NATO Defence Ministers in Colorado Springs two weeks ago, it had been decided that a "more systematic form" should be given to cooperation and consultation between NATO and the EU with a view to consolidating cooperation at a later date. US Ambassador Burns had then requested, according to a diplomatic source, that the theme should be included on the agenda of last Wednesday's weekly meeting. However, as the subject was not tackled on this occasion, it was decided that ambassadors should meet informally on Monday for a more in-depth discussion (with the ambassadors of the seven countries invited to join the Alliance). According to diplomatic circles, Americans are complaining of a lack of information on developments within the EU regarding European defence. Europeans apparently agree to ensure "a better flow of information" towards the Atlantic Alliance, as defence developments occur. At any rate, during last week's European Summit, the Italian EU Presidency affirmed that there was no doubt European defence would come about but that it must be "complementary to NATO". Regarding planning arrangements for ad hoc or structured cooperation, "it is too soon" to know more and everything is still "very fluid", according to one expert. It still remains to be seen whether there would be a planning unit at NATO (SHAPE) or national planning units (which are in permanent interaction). The idea of a separate European headquarters has apparently been dropped, however.
In addition to the results of the European Council, the joint COPS/NAC meeting will also take stock of: - the development of relations between the EU and NATO; - the Balkans (we recall that both organisations adopted a document last July on their "concerted approach" for security and stability in the region: see EUROPE of 30 July, p.2); - the military capabilities of both organisations; - and the European security strategy presented by Javier Solana, EU High Representative for CFSP to the European Council on 19 and 20 June in Thessaloniki (see EUROPE of 20 June, p.4). Mr Solana, as well as Lord Robertson, NATO Secretary General, is to take part in the joint meeting.