Observatory on European defence, June 2004

14 June 2004 
General Affairs and External Relations Council - Defence Agency, Non Proliferation, Iraq, Missions
The General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC), the last one under the Irish Presidency, discussed several issues on ESDP and approved the semi-annual Report of the Presidency. 
The GAERC approved the Joint Action establishing the European Defence Agency, an intergovernmental structure open to the participation of all member States and committed to improving cooperation in the defence industry and armaments fields. 
The Agency will initially have a small staff and budget, but it will be able to develop programmes and draw up contracts; the additional funds related to the programmes will be provided ad hoc by the participant States, while the administrative budget will derive from member States in proportion to their GNP. 
Decisions will be taken by qualified majority vote, but there will be a safeguard clause for national vital interests. 
The GAERC discussed the plans for the foreseen take-over of NATO SFOR operations in Bosnia. 
A civilian mission in Georgia was also approved. 
A report on implementation of the strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction was submitted; previously, on 1 June, the EU had confirmed its support for the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) proposed by the US. 
The situation in Iraq was analysed following adoption of UN Resolution no.1546 (8 June) establishing the handover of powers to the local administration by 30 June - that actually happened on 28 June. 
The European strategy on Iraq was the issue of a 9 June Commission Communication addressing the European Parliament and the Council.

17-18 June 2004 
European Council - Capabilities, NATO, Terrorism
The European Council approved the Conclusions of the Irish Presidency, including wide references to the evolution of CFSP and ESDP. 
The issue of relations with NATO was addressed in a specific document submitted by the High Representative, establishing the exchange of liaison officers between the two structures. 
Moreover, the Council established that the ability to set up an EU operations Centre should be available by 1 January 2006 at the latest. 
The Centre is meant to flank (not substitute) the national Command in planning and conducting EU-led military operations without NATO involvement (e.g. Artemis in Congo). 
At the capabilities level, the Council urged pursuit of the 2010 Headline Goal.
The Council committed itself to continuing its action against international terrorism through prompt adoption of the measures on intelligence, standardization of procedures and exchange of information already established but not yet fully implemented.

18 June 2004 
Intergovernmental Conference - Treaty-Constitution, Defence 
The Heads of State and Government, gathered in the Intergovernmental Conference (IGC), reached a final compromise on several issues left unsolved after the failure of the 12 December 2003 IGC and approved the new Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. 
The Treaty will now be subject to the ratification of all 25 member States before entering into force, probably in 2006. 
As regards ESDP, the IGC did not introduce modifications with respect to the compromise text submitted by the Italian Presidency last December.
Establishment of a Defence Agency and introduction of structured cooperation among groups of countries “willing and able”, disciplined by an appropriate Protocol, remain confirmed.

26 June 2004 
Bilateral Summit EU-USA - Galileo-GPS, Non Proliferation, Terrorism, Iraq, Sudan
The semi-annual summit between the European Union and the United States, held in Ireland, concluded with the adoption of several joint statements. 
The allies confirmed their aim to develop bilateral collaboration in countering international terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, as established by UN Resolution no.1540 and the Plan of Action defined at the 9 June G8. 
The EU and the USA also signed an important and much expected agreement on the cohabitation criteria for the European and US satellite navigation systems (Galileo and GPS, respectively), guaranteeing technical and frequency compatibility in a framework of reciprocal autonomy. 
Common criteria were established to evaluate the impact of the systems on security; the agreement foresees the establishment of joint working groups to deal with problems and daily management. Previously, on 14 June, the Council had approved the terms of the agreement on behalf of the European Union. 
Moreover the EU and the US confirmed their will to cooperate in the stabilization, the development and the promotion of the human rights in Iraq and, more generally, the Middle East area. 
The summit was also concerned about the worsening of the humanitarian situation in the Darfur region, Sudan, because of the ethnic violence not opposed by the local government and urged a rapid corrective intervention.

28-29 June 2004 
Istanbul NATO Summit - Mission in Bosnia, EU Collaboration
The NATO summit held in Istanbul addressed several issues on relations between the Atlantic Alliance and the European Union. 
In particular, NATO decided to terminate the SFOR operation in Bosnia by the end of the year, allowing for the take-over by a EU-led operation with the Alliance’s collaboration, based on the ‘Berlin Plus’ arrangements. 
Moreover, NATO decided to expand its presence in Afghanistan; the Eurocorps will be called upon to take command of the ISAF force.