The European Convention on the future of the European Union: The development of a common security and defence policy

Government Information Unit Press release 340/2002 20 December 2002

The issues on the agenda of the European Convention on the future of the European Union that relate to the development of a common Security and Defence Policy were discussed at a meeting between the President of the Republic and the Cabinet Committee on Foreign and Security Policy on Friday, 11 December 2002.

The Convention Working Group on Defence has just published its final report. According to the report, the description of the Union's current arrangements provided for crisis management should be made more accurate. In addition, the report examines how the flexibility and efficiency of the decision-making relating to crisis management could be improved. As regards responding to terrorism and other threats, the working group proposes that a solidarity clause be introduced in the future Union Treaty. Several members of the group have proposed that the obligation of collective defence should be brought within the sphere of the Union. The development of cooperation in the field of armament has also been discussed. The report also includes working group recommendations and separate proposals for the development of other issues regarding the EU's security and defence policy.

Finland considers it important that the Union’s ongoing project regarding the crisis management duties within the sphere of the EU’s common Security and Defence Policy be finalised. The prospect for achieving the aforementioned end has improved now that the cooperation between the EU and NATO has officially been agreed on.

Finland is of the opinion that the description of the present Peterberg tasks (humanitarian and rescue tasks, peacekeeping tasks and tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking) could be expanded to include tasks relating to stabilisation, conflict prevention and disarmament, and defence sector support to third countries. In addition, civilian crisis management should in the future be included in the Union Treaty.

EU crisis management must be developed and implemented by all Member States within the Union. Crisis management requires wide support and, in most cases, a broad number of participants. Participation in the operations must, however, be voluntary as agreed earlier in the Union.

Finland supports the inclusion of the prevention of new security threats and terrorism in the Union Treaty. The idea of an enhanced solidarity clause has also been discussed at the Convention. A such clause should express the Member States’ will to use all Union instruments for protecting the civilian population and democratic institutions and assisting a Member State within its territory in dealing with the implications of a possible terrorist attack. In Finland’s opinion, the exercise of military resources could also, if necessary, be considered in such circumstances, which would not, however, indicate the introduction of an obligation to provide mutual military assistance.

As regards common defence, Finland considers the mention of such possibility in the present Union Treaty adequate. Finland supports the development of the EU’s defence material policy and the establishment of a European Armaments Agency and, in the long run, the creation of a common market for defence material.

Further information: Markus Lyra, Director-General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 160 55032 and Elina Kalkku, Head of Security Unit, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 160 55480.