Brussels, 05/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - During Thursday's meeting at NATO HQ between NATO and the European Union, Ministers of Foreign Affairs examined relations between the two institutions, that are already very close, and made a commitment for strengthened cooperation in several areas of the strategic partnership in view. On the other hand, there is still no agreement on the issue of the future independent EU planning.
During a press conference Secretary General of NATO, Lord Robertson, and the Italian Minister Franco Frattini (the EU High Representative, Javier Solana was unable to attend), ESDP was brought up, European planning cells and the need to avoid any duplication of tasks or unnecessary spending.
George Robertson said that the "Berlin Plus" arrangements had to be used, which already existed and duplication should be avoided: any other solution would "have no sense". Mr Frattini thought that have a European planning structure would be "a good thing" but that European were not in favour of planning that duplicated that of NATO. The basic principle had to be "non-duplication and complementarity". Frattini considered that the Naples agreement on future structured cooperation in defence, initiated by France, Germany and the United Kingdom, should involve all European members in the process in view of a "General European vision". Mr Robertson concluded that a solution that enabled work with the USA to be improved would be found.
Negotiations between NATO and the EU on the question of planning cells "are not yet concluded but nearly" for finding a solution, affirmed diplomatic sources.