Written Answers. - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:
13
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Defence
the discussions he has had with his European counterparts in the context of European defence and security matters, such as co-ordination of military training and hardware; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[13163/03]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 89 to 91, inclusive, of 2 April last, when I reported on the discussions which had taken place at the informal meeting of Defence Ministers held in Athens on 14 March 2003. Since that date I have not had any further discussions with my EU colleagues.
A meeting of Defence Ministers, designated a Capabilities Conference, will take place in the format of the General Affairs and External relations Council in Brussels on Monday next, 19 May.
The year 2003 is a critical year for the development of the ESDP, being the target date for the realisation of the Helsinki headline goal, for example the development of a capability to deploy within 60 days, and sustain for at least one year, up to 60,000 persons capable of carrying out Petersberg Tasks operations, namely, crisis management operations, peace support operations and humanitarian tasks.
In this regard discussions at the Capabilities Conference in Brussels will revolve around the modalities for resolving outstanding shortfalls in the development of military capabilities to carry out Petersberg Tasks operations. I expect that related matters, such as the ongoing EU operation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) will also be discussed.
With regard to co-ordination of military training, the Greek Presidency of the EU introduced a common training initiative aimed at military and civilian personnel, involved in the development of ESDP. This initiative does not include military field training. The purpose of the initiative is to develop a greater understanding of ESDP and to contribute to more effective work within the EU in terms of the implementation and development of EU practices and procedures within ESDP. A first pilot course under the initiative is taking place in Brussels this week and is being attended by both a civilian and a military representative of the Department of Defence.
In relation to the co-ordination of hardware, I assume the Deputy means initiatives relating to joint procurement of defence equipment. In the context of addressing the shortfalls in military capabilities for the headline goal, I expect proposals in this regard will be presented for discussion. Deputies may be aware that a number of proposals have been put forward for the creation of a European Military Capabilities Agency. Proposals have been put forward by some member states in the context of addressing capability shortfalls and by the European Commission in its communication entitled, European Defence – Industrial and Market Issues, Towards an EU Defence Equipment Policy, which is essentially a discussion document focused on the European defence industry. A similar proposal is also under consideration as part of the draft EU Constitutional Treaty in the Convention on the Future of Europe.
While I have not, as yet, had discussions with my EU colleagues on these matters, I remain open to proposals which may yield economies of scale for the Defence Forces through greater efficiencies in defence spending while respecting the voluntary nature of participation in ESDP.
