Joint Declaration Launching European Defence
Capabilities Initiative, UK -Italian Summit
19-20 July 1999
1. Among the clear lessons of Kosovo are the continued
importance of a strong and effective NATO and the pressing need
for improved European military capabilities, both for a more effective
European role in NATO and to ensure the EU has the capacity for
autonomous action in the field of the Petersberg tasks (humanitarian
and rescue tasks, peacekeeping and crisis management including
peacemaking) backed by credible military forces.
2. European Heads of State and Government at Cologne
in June committed themselves further to develop the European defence
dimension through more effective military capability; and the
appropriate decision making institutions, in support of a strong
Common Foreign and Security policy. They recognised the need to
undertake sustained efforts to strengthen Europe's industrial
and technological base. They also stressed that, avoiding unnecessary
duplication, a more effective role for the European Union in conflict
prevention and crisis management would contribute to the vitality
of a renewed Alliance.
3. We are therefore launching a joint proposal to
set criteria for improved and strengthened European defence capabilities
and effective performance to be discussed and agreed at the Luxembourg
WEU Ministerial meeting and the Helsinki European Council before
the end of the year.
4. This approach, to be developed with our Partners/Allies,
will include a timetable to
achieve:
- European-wide goals for enhanced military capabilities
to undertake crisis management, including peacemaking;
- National capability objectives to achieve this
European aim
5. These efforts will be underpinned by:
- Peer review: at least one joint Foreign/Defence
Ministers General Affairs Council per EU Presidency, to measure
progress against the agreed criteria;
- The detailed work of NATO's Defence Capabilities
Initiative;
- A road map for more effective European defence
procurement; this will include harmonisation of military requirements
and collaborative arms procurement. We shall also promote defence
industry restructuring.
6. These efforts will be complementary to, and proceed
in parallel with, work in the European Union, at Italy's initiative,
on developing the Union's and the Member States' capabilities
concerning the non-military aspects of crisis prevention and management,
and improving co-ordination between military and non-military
aspects.
7. We shall pursue this bilateral initiative with
our partners and Allies in the coming weeks with a view to the
earliest possible practical results in the European Union, the
WEU and NATO.
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