Statement by Foreign Minister Tuomioja on the EU Presidency´s proposal concerning security guarantees

Press Release 291/2003
26 November 2003

The Presidency’s proposals to the Conclave of Foreign Ministers have in many respects developed in the right direction. This also applies to the articles on co-operation in defence matters; however, these articles are still clearly incomplete. Discussions on these articles will continue; the Presidency’s proposals have not yet taken into account the common view that may still be adopted by the United Kingdom, France and Germany, which are still holding mutual negotiations.

After its new formulation, Article 40.7 is no longer a simple clause on military security guarantees. Its reference to the UN Charter is in a way self-evident and involves no problems if it is specifically stated that the provisions of the Charter are also applied among the Union’s Member States. The draft articles will still need careful analysis and formulation. It is also justified to expect that all Member States are included in this process. Thus, a more appropriate solution might be to incorporate this article in the general solidarity clause of the draft treaty.

Finland will take an active part in the formulation of proposals concerning co-operation in defence issues. In this respect, it is highly possible to reach a conclusion that will take Finland’s premises into account and will be satisfactory to all parties.