The meeting of the EU Foreign Ministers worked on the agenda of the IGC and agreed on the development of defence
Government Information Unit
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Defence
Press release 164/2004
18 May 2004
The EU Foreign Ministers, who met in Brussels on 17 and 18 May, held two consecutive Intergovernmental Conference (IGC) working sessions to examine the political questions that still remain open. The IGC sessions were organised in connection with meeting of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Erkki Tuomioja, and Minister Paula Lehtomäki represented Finland in the meetings. The Minister of Defence, Seppo Kääriäinen, attended the joint meeting of Foreign and Defence Ministers.
The IGC agenda included the composition and Presidency of the Council, multiannual structural frameworks, budget procedures, the Charter of Fundamental Rights, the competence of courts in questions regarding excessive deficits and the scope of qualified majority voting. The ministers also discussed the composition of the Commission. No conclusions were published at the end of the IGC sessions but the Irish Presidency will prepare a proposal for the June European Council on the basis of the sessions. The Heads of State or Government are to agree on the contents of the Constitutional Treaty in their June meeting.
The EU Defence Ministers attended the General Affairs and External Relations Council on Monday. In their joint meeting, the Foreign and Defence Ministers adopted the document entitled Headline Goal 2010 which includes the main parameters for the development of EU military capabilities, notably the definition of the level of ambition on rapid reaction battlegroups which are to participate in crisis management on the request of the UN. Units that equal the size of battlegroups (ca. 1,500 persons) must be able to start implementing their mission on the ground no later than 10 days after the EU decision to launch the operation. The aim is to achieve an initial battlegroup capability in early 2005 and complete development in 2007. Finland considers the development of rapid response forces an essential part of modern peace keeping operations which require capacity for rapid reaction. Finland is currently examining ways in which to contribute to the development of the rapid response forces.
The ministers also discussed the establishment of the agency in the field of defence capabilities development, research, acquisition and armaments. The intention is to make the decision on the establishment of the agency in June and the agency is to achieve operational status during the ongoing year. The ministers also discussed ways to improve the planning and implementation capabilities of the Union's crisis management operations and the preparation of the EU's Bosnia operation.
The Foreign Ministers discussed the situation in Iraq over lunch on Monday. The Council condemned the assassination of the Chairman of the Iraqi Governing Council, Mr. Abdul Zahra Othman Mohammad, the savage execution of the American engineer, Mr Nicholas Berg, and the instances of abuse and degradation of prisoners in Iraq.
Chris Patten, Member of Commission responsible for external relations, reported on his visit to Kosovo and stated that the situation in the area is extremely difficult. The Council reiterated its strong support for the UN's interim administration, UNMIK, and emphasised commitment to democracy and to the establishment of rule of law before the position of Kosovo can be discussed.
In its conclusions on the Middle East, the Council condemned the action undertaken by Israel and the inhuman treatment of the remains of Israeli soldiers in Gaza and urged the Palestinians to take action to prevent violence.
In relation to Burma, the Council expressed its concern and deep disappointment that the Burmese authorities have not released Aung San Suu Kyi and have not allowed the National League for Democracy to take part in the National Convention. The Council expressed its serious concern about the vast extent of the humanitarian and human rights disaster in Darfur in the western part of Sudan.
The Council calls upon the Sudanese Government to disarm the Janjaweed militias and to observe the cease-fire and to guarantee that it is respected by all parties.
As regards the International Criminal Court and the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Council invited HR/SG Javier Solana to submit proposals on ways in which the EU can take concrete steps designed to promote the development of a rules based international order.
Further information: Ritva Koukku-Ronde, Deputy Director General, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5390 and Senior Research Officer Heli Siivola, Ministry of Defence, tel. +358 9 1608 8186