Brussels, 12/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - European defence took a step forward on Friday at the European Council. The EU Heads of State and Government reached agreement on strengthening the EU's planning capabilities and conducting military and civil operations, with or without NATO. They decided to establish a permanent EU cell at SHAPE, the NATO headquarters, and a permanent EU cell within the European Military Staff (EUMS), the "Cortenberg". But care must be taken not to speak of a European...