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22 November 2009
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EU defence force under threat 

Published: Tuesday 11 December 2001   

Greece has blocked the agreement between EU diplomats and Turkey on European rapid reaction force. The agreement, negotiated by British, Dutch and American diplomats, would give the EU access to NATO's military equipment and planning capabilities.

Background:


European leaders agreed on a common defence strategy at the Cologne Summit on 3 June 1999. The 15 Member States of the EU formally decided to create a rapid reaction force (RRF) of 60,000 men at the Nice European Council in December 2000. Some progress has been made in creating a military structure within the Council of Ministers in 2001. The RRF should be operational from 2003 on, concentrating on humanitarian relief, peace-keeping and crisis-management tasks independently of NATO.

 

Other related news:


The Greek Foreign Minister, George Papandreou, told his counterparts at the EU Council meeting in Brussels on 10 December, that Athens had problems with the agreement because it failed to address Greece's security concerns.

That prevented the EU foreign ministers from adopting the agreement before the weekend summit of Laeken (14-15 December). The EU and NATO have been planning to exchange letters defining the extent of their co-operation.

 

Positions:


Greece demands assurances from the EU that the new rapid reaction force will not be used in any way that could damage Greece's security interests, especially in relation to Cyprus and the Aegean where Greece is in dispute with Turkey. Greece also wants guarantees that the deal with Turkey, who is not an EU member, would not undermine the EU's autonomy in the area of defence.

 

Next steps:


The EU is planning to declare its 60,000-strong rapid reaction force operational at the summit of Laeken on 14-15 December.

 

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