12/12/2003 (Agence Europe) - In a speech to the second congress on European defence in Berlin, CDU MEP Karl von Wogau, pointed out that the European Parliament had requested the EU to be prepared to settle, by 2009, "autonomously or with its allies" the wide and intense conflict of Kosovo. In a press statement he pointed out that the context meant that "the significance of a European HQ is overestimated". He noted that 3000 work for NATO in Mons at SHAPE, whereas the planning cell for the EU would only employ 30-40. Mr von Wogau underlined that the four largest political groups at the European Parliament supported European defence and insisted once again on the EU Intervention Force, whose creation had been decided on in Helsinki. He insisted that this should not remain "virtual" and they therefore had to shorten the deadlines for deploying it and gradually make it available and permanent. And begin to work our the units to be provided by Member States. Wogau pointed out that the Parliament had proposed that a Franco-German brigade was part of these available and permanent troops.