The new European architecture for security and defence, priorities and lacks

In adopting by 275 votes for, 96 against and 11 abstentions the resolution by Mr Philippe MORILLON (EPP-ED, F) on the new European security and defence architecture, the Parliament agreed with the position agreed by the committee responsible (please refer to the previous text). The resolution's main message is that the EU's military capability should be strengthened if Europe wishes to become a credible actor on the international stage and a free partner of the United States. As regards the new international security environment, the Parliament proposes - as a response to the US National Security Strategy - the development of a Security Strategy of the European Union which would define the Union's values and interests in the field of promoting worldwide stability, conflict prevention and crisis management, and would describe the Union's approach to making the world a safer place. The House considers that this strategy could help to build better EU-US cooperation based on common interests and reduce current differences. The Parlaiement also considers that the Petersberg tasks should be revised and expanded to include other tasks involving the use of military resources, such as conflict prevention, joint disarmament operations, military advice and assistance, post-conflict stabilisation and combating terrorism, which should lead the European Union to make provision for various types of interventions of varying intensity. Civilian crisis management should be placed on an equal footing to the military aspects of the Petersberg tasks and should be recognised as a core part of the common security and defence policy; points out that the Union should be able to meet civilian crisis management needs by coherent and concerted deployment of Member States' capabilities and Community instruments, for the purpose of conflict prevention and preservation of peace and stability through police missions, as well as through measures aiming at strengthening democracy, public administration and the rule of law. In addition, Parliament confirms its position that common costs of military operations within the ESDP framework should be covered by the Community budget (CFSP) and, in this connection, calls for Article 28 of the TEU to be modified. It equally expresses its interest in the initiative launched by Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg to discuss in Brussels on 29 April 2003 EU defence policy perspectives and hopes that other Member States will be willing to subscribe to it and that the proposals resulting from this meeting will be presented to the Council and the European Convention.�