P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:85 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, being taken in relation to the development of an EU defence, security and defence policy entity. [4295/00]
Written Answers. - Common Foreign and Security Policy.
The question of European security and defence policy was considered at the Helsinki European Council in December on the basis of the provisions of the Treaty of Amsterdam. Both the Taoiseach and my predecessor, Deputy Andrews, made detailed statements in this House on 15 December concerning the outcome of Helsinki.
I recall that the issue of EU discussions is Petersberg Tasks, and not mutual defence commitments. In seeking to ensure that the EU has the capabilities required for Petersberg Tasks, the Helsinki European Council made clear that this process is not about creating a European army. I also recall the importance of civilian crisis management, including the civilian dimensions of conflict prevention, which was fully recognised by the Helsinki European Council.
Final decisions in this area are not foreseen until the end of this year at the earliest. As an interim measure with the aim of improving the EU's ability to take decisions on Petersberg Tasks, the General Affairs Council yesterday took decisions enabling the establishment, as of 1 March, of an interim political and security committee within the council, together with an interim body to give necessary military advice. Arrangements were also agreed to allow the EU Council Secretariat to be augmented by a small number of military experts seconded from the member states.
The Helsinki European Council also agreed on a voluntary target for establishing capabilities. This target, which member states aim to meet by the year 2003, is to be able to deploy between 50,000 and 60,000 personnel within 60 days and to be able to sustain this deployment for one year. This would equate roughly to a mission of a scale comparable to that of KFOR in Kosovo. Consideration is also being given to the appropriate arrangements that would allow interested non-EU states to contribute to the Petersberg Tasks, and also to the appropriate consultation arrangements to be worked out between the EU and NATO for this purpose.
The Presidency will present an interim progress report on this issue to the Lisbon European Council on 23-24 March, and a fuller progress report to the European Council in June.