European leaders yesterday set in train the gradual dismemberment of the Western European Union (WEU) and incorporation into the EU of many of its planning and analysis functions. But the decision, designed to give the EU a capacity to take military decisions, specifically only involving peacekeeping-type operations, will not impose any new mutual defence obligations on the neutrals. They will also be able to participate fully in all new structures if they wish.
The move was described by the German Secretary of State for European Affairs, Mr Gunther Verheugen, for the Presidency, as a "great step forward in the history of the EU," which would "set down the foundations for a European Defence Union", a phrase that will certainly make Irish officials wince.
Speaking at the meeting, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said that any new structures which evolved should be inclusive of all EU members who wished to participate, and allow them to do so in a manner consistent with their capabilities and distinctive national positions. Ireland still had difficulties with any commitment to mutual defence guarantees.
The EU will now establish its own military/political committee and a situation centre, and set up a military staff who will assist in the planning of operations which will, however, be conducted under national or European NATO command. Defence ministers will participate occasionally in meetings of the General Affairs Council. Member-states are encouraged to consider allocating sections of their defence forces for potential peacekeeping use.
The decision was supported by Ireland, which had sought successfully, with other neutrals, the British, French and Danes, to remove references to the integration of the WEU itself into the EU. That would have involved signing up to Article 5 of the WEU Treaty which specifically commits members to coming to the defence of others if attacked.
Instead, the WEU, stripped of many of its functions, will be allowed to wither on the vine as an organisation, although it will still exist in the form of a largely redundant treaty. By the end of next year, when the transfer of functions is complete, the summit declaration says, "the WEU as an organisation would have completed its purpose."
The declaration makes clear that the NATO members of the EU regard the change as confirming their commitment to NATO as the cornerstone of their defence but as providing a political means of acting independently of the US.
