Olwyn Enright
Question:166 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's views on the way in which the concrete modalities for permanent arrangements between the EU and NATO should be implemented. [6569/03]
Written Answers - EU-NATO Negotiations.
The development of permanent arrangements between the EU and NATO has been envisaged since the early evolution of European Security and Defence Policy, and has been outlined in the conclusions of successive European Councils. A role for NATO in relation to ESDP arises from the need for the EU, which is not a military organisation, to have access to certain capabilities and resources such as transportation, headquarters and planning facilities which will be required for substantial crisis management missions.
Discussion on necessary arrangements in this regard had effectively stalled on the issue of participation of non-EU European members of NATO in ESDP. At the European Council held in Brussels on 24-25 October 2002, and on the basis of conclusions drawn at the previous Nice European Council, EU Heads of State and Government agreed on modalities in this area. At Copenhagen last December further negotiations took place in the context of general discussions on enlargement, particularly with regard to Turkey. EU Heads of State and Government concluded that agreement could be finalised and that necessary follow-up, including on arrangements for secure exchange of relevant information between the two organisations, could proceed.
Work between the two organisations has progressed well since then and has acquired additional significance by the imminent EU military operation in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
The Government is so far satisfied with the progress made to date on EU-NATO relations on the basis that full respect has continued to be shown for the relevant Feira principles of autonomy of EU decision making, recognition of the different nature of the EU and NATO, and non-discrimination against any of the member states.