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DER i Thessaloniki 19-20/6-03: Sikkerheds- og forsvarspolitik

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Medlemmerne
af
Folketingets
Europaudvalg
og
deres
stedfortrædereBilagJournalnummerKontor1400.C.2-0EU-sekr.17. juni 2003
Til underretning for Folketingets Europaudvalg vedlægges i forbindelse med Det
Europæiske Råd i Thessaloniki den 19.-20. juni 2003 formandskabets rapport vedr.
europæisk sikkerheds- og forsvarspolitik (ESDP), 10598/03.
 
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNIONBrussels, 17 June 2003 10598/03
LIMITE COSDP 365 CIVCOM 79
NOTE
From  :CouncilTo  :European  CouncilSubject  :Presidency  Report  on  European  Security
and Defence Policy

Delegations  will  find  attached  the  Presidency  Report  on  European  Security  and  Defence
Policy further to the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 16 June 2003.
____________
PRESIDENCY REPORT ON ESDP
1.  In  line  with  the  mandate  defined  by  the  European  Council  in  Copenhagen,  the
Presidency submits this progress report on ESDP.
2.  In presenting this report, the Presidency has noted that Denmark has drawn attention to
Protocol No. 5 on Denmark's position annexed to the Treaty of Amsterdam.
I. EU Operational Capability
3.  In the framework of the EU's Operational Capability, the EU has launched three crisis
management operations. In the Western Balkans, the first EU-led civilian crisis
management operation, the police mission in Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUPM) and the first
EU-led military operation “CONCORDIA', in the former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia (fYROM), with recourse to NATO's assets and capabilities, are progressing
smoothly and successfully. The first EU-led autonomous military operation “ARTEMIS''
has been launched, in Bunia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in accordance with a
mandate of the United Nations Security Council.
4.  The  first  crisis  management  operation,  the  EU  Police  Mission  (EUPM)  in  Bosnia-
Herzegovina  (BiH)  which  started  on  1  January  2003  contributes  to  the  overall  peace
implementation in BiH as well as to the achievements of the EU overall's policy in the
region, notably the Stabilisation and Association Process.
5.  On 31 March the EU launched its first military crisis management operation
“CONCORDIA'' in the fYROM, following arequest by its government. Embedded in
the broader EU approach, the operation aims at contributing further to a stable secure
environment  to  allow  the  fYROM  government  to  implement  the  Ohrid  Framework
Agreement.
6.  On  12  June,  the  EU  launched  the  autonomous  military  operation  “ARTEMIS'',  in  the
town  of  Bunia  in  the  Ituri  region  of  the  DRC.  This  operation  will  contribute  to  the
stabilisation of the security conditions and the improvement of the humanitarian situation
in Bunia.  
7.  In this context, the participation of acceding  States and third States in all three EU led
operations is welcomed.

II. The military aspects of crisis management
EU-NATO permanent arrangements
8.  EU-NATO  permanent  arrangements  have  been  successfully  concluded  and  put  into
practice in the case of operation “CONCORDIA' in fYROM. EU-NATO co-operation
contributes  to  the  military  operational  capability  of  the  Union  and  the  permanent
arrangements between the two organisations provide a solid framework for the strategic
partnership between them in crisis management.
9. Moreover, the Council recognised the importance of the coherent and mutually
reinforcing development of military capabilities in NATO and in the EU, where
requirements overlap. In the framework of the relevant chapter of the Capability
Development Mechanism, the EU- NATO Capability Group has started functioning.
(b)
Development of the EU Military Capabilities
10. The Council confirmed that the EU now has operational capability across the full range
of  Petersberg  tasks,  limited  and  constrained  by  recognised  shortfalls.  The  limitations
and/or constraints, on recognised shortfalls, are on deployment time and high risk may
arise  at  the  upper  end  of  the  spectrum  of  scale  and  intensity,  in  particular  when
conducting concurrent operations. These limitations and constraints on full achievement
of  the  Headline  and  Capabilities  Goals  could  be  alleviated  if  the  recommendations  on
meeting the shortfalls are followed-up. However, the impact of these limitations will need
to be assessed case by case against the nature of each specific operation and its particular
demands as well as envisaged contribution of required capabilities.
11.  At  the  Capability  Conference  in  Brussels  on  19th  May,  Ministers  noted  that  new
contributions from Member States had reduced the number of shortfalls. Member States
in order to further reduce or eliminate the remaining shortfalls will, with respect to the
specific responsibilities of Ministers of Defence in this field, endeavour to provide, on a
voluntary basis, more contributions
from current inventories, to commit to deliver projects and initiatives within their current
programmes, and to commit to deliver enhanced, new and additional capabilities through
the  next  phase  of  the  European  Capability  Action  Plan,  by  activating  Project  Groups
addressing the whole spectrum of capability shortfalls. In this regard Member States are
urged  to  contribute  to  this  ongoing  effort.  The  need  for  adequate  national  action  and
support at the highest political level is emphasised.
12.  The  Helsinki  Force  Catalogue,  including  the  Forces  Catalogue  Supplement  and  the
National  and  Multinational  Projects  and  Initiatives  compilation  have  been  revised  and
noted  by  the  Council,  as  well  as  the  Helsinki  Progress  Catalogue  which  has  been
approved by the Council.
13. The Council underlined that the Union has developed the necessary conceptual
framework  for  the  conduct  of  EU-led  military  crisis  management  operations,  including
those requiring rapid response. In this context, the Union has, in principle, the ability to
conduct EU military crisis management operations requiring rapid response, dependant
on  the  political  will,  the  ability  to  accelerate  decision-making  and  on  Member  States'
readiness to contribute rapidly the required  interoperable assets and capabilities for the
conduct of the operation. The operation “ARTEMIS' with France as framework nation
demonstrated the political willingness and capability of the EU and its Member States to
react quickly and efficiently in a crisis situation.
14. The Capability Development Mechanism has been concluded and is being implemented.  
(c)
ESDP and terrorism
15.  In  accordance  with  the  Seville  Declaration  on  the  contribution  of  CFSP,  including
ESDP, in the fight against terrorism, a database of military assets and capabilities relevant
to the protection of civilian populations against the effects of terrorist attacks, including
chemical,  biological,  radiological  and  nuclear  (CBRN),  on  a  voluntary  basis  has  been
established.  Modalities,  procedures  and  criteria  for  the  use  of  these  military  assets  and
capabilities will be developed by the competent bodies, taking into account other work
being  done  within  the  EU,  the  Civil  Protection  Community  Mechanism  and  the  Co-
ordinating  Mechanism,  with  a  view  to  ensuring  a  comprehensive  EU  response.  The
question  of  military  capabilities  required  to  protect  forces  deployed  in  EU-led  crisis
management operations against terrorist attacks, including CBRN, has
also been addressed. Under the authority of the Secretary General/High Representative
an assessment of the CBRN-terrorism threat has been prepared. In accordance with the
Seville Declaration a separate report is presented.  
The  EU  is  exploring  ways  to  further  develop  its  cooperation  with  NATO  in  the  fight
against terrorism.
(d)
Third States involvement  
16. Schemes for consultations with third States in the light of EU and NATO enlargements
have been reviewed.
(e) Co-operation  in  the  field  of  defence  capabilities  development,  research,
acquisition and armaments
17.  The  Council  welcomed  proposals  and  initiatives  including  also  in  the  context  of  the
Convention concerning an intergovernmental agency in this field within the EU.
Furthermore,  the  Council  recognised  the  important  role  of  the  defence  industry  in
delivering appropriate interoperable and cost-effective capabilities. Therefore the Council: