Memorandum by Embassy of the Czech Republic
INTEGRATING THE WEU INTO THE EU AND POTENTIAL
OBSTACLES
The Czech Republic believes that CESDP should
and could in many respects build on the WEU's experience, its
decision-making mechanisms and structures, in particular the involvement
of its associate members and observers and on the WEU/NATO links.
Article 17, paragraph 1 of the Amsterdam Treaty defines the WEU
as an integral part of the development of the European Union and
the subsequent paragraphs envisage the WEU's support in elaborating
and implementing the Union's decisions and actions and in the
conduct of Petersberg missions.
The Czech Republic believes that the fullest
possible use of the WEU's staff into the EU structure would be
positive since it would strengthen the emerging EU/NATO links.
The Czech Republic is ready to delegate its experts to the new
EU military bodies and structures. The Czech Republic believes
that the incorporation of former Eurogroup structures now functioning
within the WEU system (Western European Armaments Group, Western
European Logistics Group, Satellite Centre, etc.) would increase
European operational and military capabilities. It would transfer
the WEU security culture to the EU.
The WEU was a very flexible arrangement between
the signatories of the modified Brussels Treaty and other European
states in particular other EU and/or European NATO members. We
are aware of the fact that the EU structures and bodies has so
far had very little experience of involving non-members. That
is why WEU transfer to the EU causes institutional problems. Our
argument is that NATO and WEU co-operation strengthened its position.
Enhanced co-operation with non members should not undermine the
decision-making autonomy of the EU, just the contrary. Since defence
will remain a matter for NATO with an important role of those
NATO members that are not members of the EU, we think that the
highest possible common approach of EU and NATO should also be
cost effective.
For these reasons the Czech Republic supports
maximum possible usage of the WEU mechanisms, structures and practices
into the EU.
CURRENT DEVELOPMENT
VIS-A-VIS
THE BERLIN
DECISIONS OF
JULY 1996
The building of ESDI within NATO required definition
of the NATO/WEU link, ie definition of modalities for co-operation
between two security organisations so different in size. Much
has been done between NATO and WEU since Berlin. This should be
used for NATO/EU links.
Important developments over the last several
years (St Malo Declaration, Economic and Monetary Union, Amsterdam
Treaty, Washington Summit, Cologne and Helsinki European Council
Meetings, Kosovo crisis) have brought a new perspective on European
defence. NATO's new partner in Europe is the EU, an organisation
far exceeding the WEU in terms of size and importance, with agenda
not restricted to the security domain.
At the Washington Summit, the Czech Republic
as a new Ally supported the Berlin + agenda. The Czech Republic
also supports initiatives for a more emancipated Europe in the
defence dimension, for a Europe more able to shoulder responsibility
for its own security. Through active efforts it seeks to contribute
to the fulfilment of the tasks set at the Washington Summit for
the development of ESDI. NATO should make it possible that EU
draws on its assets and capabilities when the Alliance is not
engaged collectively. In such cases non-EU NATO members should
be properly involved.
The Czech Republic regards the transatlantic
link as the cornerstone of the common defence of the Euro-Atlantic
region and believes that ESDI/CESDP will help to strengthen both
the Alliance and the EU. By no means it should adversely affect
Europe's ties with our North American Allies.
TIMEFRAME FOR
PUTTING THE
NEW STRUCTURES
INTO PLACE
The Czech Republic believes that, given the
present pace of work on CESDP, the timeframe set at Cologne for
the building of the relevant institutions and mechanisms is feasible.
Indeed, the interim bodies of the second pillar are in place from
1 March and the Interim Political and Security Committee met for
the first time on 7 March. Another question is the building and
strengthening of real military and non-military capabilities.
To achieve first concrete results already in 2003, the first practical
steps should be taken now. Urgent solution should be found to
the issue of NEEA participation and to the creation of NATO-EU
links.
NATO MEMBERSHIP VERSUS
EU MEMBERSHIP, POSSIBLE
CONVERGENCE OF
NEUTRAL COUNTRIES
AND NATO AND
OF NEEA (NON-EU
EUROPEAN ALLIES)
AND THE
EU
The Czech Republic is concerned that its status
within CESDP on the EU side may entail downgrading of its present
WEU associate member status. It believes that a satisfactory solution
to this issue will be found before the anticipated Czech entry
to the EU in 2003. At the same time it is aware that the perspective
of EU membership is distant or non-existent for certain Allies.
Hence the importance of the participation issue is not only due
to our desire to be involved before our EU entry, but also due
to the importance it has got for future NATO-EU links as such.
Regarding the role of EU's neutral countries
in European defence, the Czech Republic supports maximum utilisation
of the Alliance's existing defence planning procedures. Non-allied
EU countries could take advantage of the planning procedures available
under the Partnership for Peace (PARP). Generally, it is possible
to support the reinforced status of the four non-allied countries
within the Partnership for Peace, including joint assessment of
their defence activities in the presence of representatives of
the relevant elements of the Union's future military and defence
structures. Much can also be done within the establishment of
direct NATO-EU links to accommodate the non-NATO EU members.
ROLE OF
NEEA IN CESDP
The Czech Republic proposes that NEEA take part
in CESDP in a similar way as they did within the WEU as Associate
Members. Ideally, they should be able to attend all regular sessions
at all levels in an advisory capacity while respecting the Union's
decision-making autonomy, and have access to the relevant information
and documents. The Czech Republic appreciates the proposals presented
by the Portuguese Presidency regarding the participation of non-EU
countries in the CESDP process. The proposed European Security
and Defence Framework in principle stems from the WEU format.
The Czech Republic would naturally like to participate
in the Union's crisis management operations (Petersberg missions),
with or without recourse to NATO assets and capabilities. We would
logically want to participate in the decision-shaping and decision-making
concerning all operations using NATO assets and capabilities,
and all EU-led operations to which we contribute.
The Czech Republic deeply appreciates the British
Government's approach to the involvement of NEEA in CESDP. The
British support for the Portuguese proposals and the meeting of
Secretary Cook with the Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic,
Poland and Hungary has assured us that we are on the right course.
The Czech Republic believes that a generally acceptable format
for the involvement of NEEA will be found in the near future.
EU HEADLINE GOAL
(EHG) AND THE
CZECH CONTRIBUTION
The Czech Republic supports the effort to improve
European defence capabilities, namely its capacity to conduct
crisis management operations in situations when NATO as a whole
is not engaged. EHG is perceived as a significant step in this
direction. The Czech Republic believes that improved European
defence capability will not weaken the transatlantic link. The
Czech Republic wants to actively participate in the realisation
of the Headline Goal within the limits of its capacities. We consider
to contribute troops for the implementation of the Headline Goal.
The contribution would be formulated within the force planning
of the Army of the Czech Republic before the anticipated date
of EU entry which coincides with the deadline set for the realisation
of EHG in 2003-04. A sine qua non for the Czech contribution
is participation in the political decisions concerning the relevant
operations.
For reasons of a generally political, economic
and technical nature, the Czech Republic is strongly in favour
of modalities for the development of EHG utilising NATO defence
planning processes. The reasons include indivisibility of defence,
the need for enhanced interoperability between the Alliance and
non-allied EU forces, the interoperability of contingency planning
procedures and other planning procedures (force planning, operation
planning, armaments planning). It is important that NATO should
declare its readiness to provide the EU with appropriate planning
capabilities and procedures (including PARP PfP for non-allied
countries).
The NATO/EHG interlinkage is reflected in the
Defence Capabilities Initiative. DCI is designed to improve European
capabilities and promote smart spending. In our view, it offers
concrete possibilities for co-operation and joint promotion of
certain significant elements of the Helsinki conclusions, with
a view to more effective sharing of the available forces and assets
eg in the area of strategic air transport.
EUROCORPS
An interesting element in the discussion about
CESDP is the future role of Eurocorps which should assume responsibility
for the KFOR operation. We are considering the possibility to
detail a liaison officer for co-operation with Eurocorps.
FOUNDATIONS OF
EUROPEAN DEFENCE
Division of labour between NATO (protection of
European security) and EU (Petersberg missions)
We are of the opinion that no such "division
of labour" exists by definitions. While we recognize the
necessity to increase the EU's or European capabilities in crisis
management, we fully support the decision of the EU (see Helsinki
European Council decision) to act "where the Alliance is
not engaged collectively". The role of NATO in crisis management
is contained in the new Strategic Concept of the Alliance adopted
at the NATO's Washington Summit. Europe should be prepared to
lead military operations as defined in Petersberg for cases where
our North American Allies will not be actively engaged. In such
situations we consider it logical to use NATO's assets and capabilities
for EU-led operations on the principle of separable but not separate
forces. Our primary concern is to avoid duplications.
European defence industry
Co-operation in European defence industry is
a significant issue. We regret to see that this part of the St
Malo process is not sufficiently reflected in concrete. The Czech
Republic will join the WEAG in May 2000 and are considering options
for our involvement with OCCAR. The Czech Republic seeks earliest
possible involvement in all activities in the area of armaments
policy and in concrete military projects. The Czech Republic believes
that European co-operation in this field will improve the allocation
of the common defence resources and expenditure. The Czech Republic
considers that the 70 per cent US contribution to European operations
is politically unsustainable in the longer term.
NATO/EU relationship
The question of shaping CESDP is closely related
to the establishment of direct NATO/EU links which the Czech Republic
regards as an urgent necessity. A direct and encompassing NATO/EU
link is important also from the perspective of our transatlantic
allies. The Czech Republic is convinced that the American military
presence in Europe (and generally the transatlantic link) will
in the nearest future remain the cornerstone of security and stability
on the continent.
The Czech Republic supports the development
of Berlin+ within the NATO framework (para 10 of the Washington
Communique«). The Czech Republic recommends assured EU access
to NATO forces, assets and planning capabilities, as well as the
presumption of availability to the EU of pre-identified NATO capabilities
and assets, including DSACEUR.
The Czech Republic believes that the work on
the direct NATO/EU link should be intensified in order to facilitate
the official launch at the European Council meeting in Feira.
We think that contacts between NATO and the EU interim bodies
can be established very quickly. We support intensive work on
the NATO/EU Security Agreement, and the ongoing contacts between
Secretary-General Robertson and Secretary-General Solana and their
secretariats.
FUTURE OF
THE TRANSATLANTIC
LINK
The Czech Republic is convinced that the American
military presence in Europe (and generally the transatlantic link)
will in the nearest future remain the cornerstone of security
and stability on the continent.
The Czech Republic assumes that the work on
CESDP will reinforce the transatlantic link, and rejects the idea
that the link could weaken as a result of debates about concrete
aspects of CESDP. We believe that correct steps in building CESDP
will raise the transatlantic link to a qualitatively higher level.
For the future, NATO must remain the cornerstone
of common defence. It should retain a significant role in crisis
management. Therefore it is very important that the Helsinki conclusions
"underline the determination to develop an autonomous capacity
to take decisions and, where NATO as a whole is not engaged, to
launch and conduct EU-led military operations in response to international
crises". In the opinion of the Czech Republic, the preference
for primary responsibility of the Alliance does not bar EU engagement.
It is indeed hard to imagine that the decision on who will handle
the crisis should be taken on the spot. A certain degree of parallelism,
at least in the initial stage, is only logical. The closer will
the NATO/EU contacts become, the less room they will provide for
such parallelism.
14 March 2000
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