Brussels, 01/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - At a debate organised by the Greens at the European Parliament on Wednesday 30 January, most MEPs called for the question of Poland and the Czech Republic potentially housing some of the United States' anti-missile defence system to be put on the EU agenda. The European Commission and Council, however, repeat that the issue is a matter for the member states, which have sole decision-making powers in this connection.
At the start of the debate, EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the European Commission had few powers in this connection but that no matter where the matter was discussed, it would be good for decisions on the EU's security architecture to also be taken by the EU itself. It is not simply an addition to existing set-ups designed to protect the United States, explained the chair of the European Parliament's Defence Sub-Committee, German EPP-ED MEP Karl von Wogau, adding that the missile shield would only protect part of Europe. Cyprus, Malta, Romania, Bulgaria, southern Italy and part of Greece would not be covered by the system, he explained, saying that he could not agree to the EU being divided into different security zones. The Socialist and Green groups were more critical. Dutch PES MEP Jan-Marinus Wiersma, speaking on behalf of his group, said it was wrong for the United States to have bilateral negotiations with the two EU member states, while Daniel Cohn-Bendit (Germany, Greens/EFA) said security decisions had to be taken together rather than bilaterally. Annelli Jaatteemnaki (Finland, ALDE) said the system could be a threat for all EU member states and the question had be raised of whether it would increase or decrease security in the EU. Speaking on behalf of her group, she said the issue had to be discussed at EU level first. Polish ALDE MEP Janusz Onyszkievicz said he wanted the missile shield question to also cover the UK and Denmark because they have installations that could form part of the US system. He said the anti-missile system is not a magnet for terrorists because they do not attack well-protected areas. Poland's involvement in the project should not be a subject of confrontation, said Urszula Gacek (EPP-ED, Poland). She said that despite the negotiations with the United States, the Polish government was open to the arguments of its European neighbours and aware that Poland was part of the European family. She said there was not a EFDP for the moment and Poland would be taking the decision under its own sovereignty.
The Council does not want to discuss the issue for the moment. Current President of the Council, Janez Lenarcic, said the Council had not discussed it and the decision of whether or not to get involved was the remit of the different member states, which is why the member states in question had to decide independently. He said the Council had no plans for the moment to discuss the issue with either the United States or NATO. The United States unveiled the idea last year of installing parts of their anti-missile defence system in the Czech Republic and Poland, including a radar in the Czech Republic and a base with ten missile interceptors in Poland. In July 2007, the United Kingdom announced that it too was planning to house some of the shield. The debate on Wednesday was organised by the Greens at the EP, backed by votes from Socialists and Liberals. The EPP-ED group only agreed to take part in the debate as long as it did not end with the adoption of a resolution. (A. By)