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1. Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence of the WEU nations met in Bremen on 10 and 11 May 1999.
2. Ministers warmly welcomed the participation of the Ministers of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland present for the first time in their new capacity as Associate Members. They issued the attached Declaration on the Associate Membership of the three countries.
3. Ministers had an extended discussion of the implications of the Kosovo crisis for the region. Ministers deplored the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Kosovo and the region. They recalled that the regime in Belgrade had repeatedly rejected all efforts to solve the crisis peacefully.
They emphasized their complete support and full solidarity for EU and NATO on Kosovo. They strongly emphasized that NATO`s military action is both necessary and warranted in order to achieve the political objectives of the international community for a peaceful multi-ethnic and democratic Kosovo where all its people can live in security and enjoy universal human rights and freedom on an equal basis. Such a political solution should support the five legitimate demands of the international community. Ministers expressed their high appreciation for the solidarity of the countries in the region and other Associate Partners with the actions of NATO and the EU. Ministers welcomed diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution for the crisis, involving Russia. In this respect they welcomed the results of the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the G8 on 6 May 1999 and expressed the strong hope that these will form the basis of further progress towards such a solution. Ministers welcomed the EU initiative for a stability pact for South-Eastern Europe aiming at lasting peace, democratisation, prosperity, security and stability in the region. They looked forward to the forthcoming meeting of high officials in Bonn on May 27, 1999 to discuss the stability pact and the Conference on South-Eastern Europe to be convened by the EU. Ministers also welcomed the South-East European Cooperation process as well as other regional efforts. Ministers fully supported the measures imposed by NATO and the EU preventing weapons and petroleum products from entering the FRY as well as the strengthened sanctions against the FRY, and call on other governments to do the same. Ministers underlined the importance of the extended mission, on the basis of Article J 4.2 of the Treaty on European Union, of the WEU Multinational Advisory Police Element (MAPE), in supporting the process of stabilisation and democratic reform in Albania. MAPE's enhanced geographical coverage and increased operational mobility will enable MAPE to better respond to the needs of the Albanian authorities in building a police force according to European norms. Ministers welcomed the launch of the WEU de-mining assistance mission in Croatia (WEUDAM). They underlined that WEUDAM is the first operation conducted by WEU at the request of the EU on the basis of Article J 4.2 of the Treaty on European Union and with EU finance, and looked forward to continued close cooperation with the EU in this respect. They expressed their appreciation for the contribution made by Sweden as lead nation. Ministers welcomed the general security surveillance mission of the WEU Satellite Centre on the Kosovo region, on the basis of Article J 4.2 of the Treaty on European Union, and the contribution thus being provided to the EU, OSCE and NATO as part of international humanitarian efforts. Lessons learned from the mission shall be taken account of in further work inter alia on a possible WEU participation in a developing multilateral European satellite observation programme.
4. Ministers had an exchange of views on the question of European security and defence in light of the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, of the reflections launched since the Rome Declaration in WEU and ' following the St. Malo Declaration ' in the EU, including the Vienna European Council conclusions, and of NATO's Washington Summit. They looked forward to the decisions to be taken in this regard by the European Council in Cologne.
Ministers stressed the importance of continuing to develop European security and defence. This development will serve the interests of all WEU nations. In this context they welcomed the informal reflection mandated in Rome and held at meetings of directors for security policy from Foreign and Defence Ministries which had confirmed:
the willingness of European nations to strengthen European operational capabilities for Petersberg tasks based on appropriate decision-making bodies and effective military means, within NATO or national and multinational means outside the NATO framework; their wish to further develop these structures and capabilities in complementarity with the Atlantic Alliance whilst avoiding unnecessary duplication; the need for WEU to be operationally effective with the involvement and participation of all WEU nations in accordance with their status and to continue its cooperation with the EU and NATO, in preparation for any new arrangements which may be agreed in light of ongoing developments. Ministers decided that the informal reflection should be pursued on this basis.
Ministers decided that the informal reflection should be pursued on this basis.
Ministers took note of the oral report of the Presidency Defence Minister on the informal meeting of EU and European NATO Defence Ministers in Bremen. They welcomed the determination expressed on this occasion to contribute to the development of an effective European defence and security policy and the capability for European crisis management in the scope of Petersberg tasks.
Ministers welcomed the report of the Presidency on the audit of assets and capabilities available for European operations inter alia on the basis of the Special Report prepared in NATO. They asked the Permanent Council to continue the evaluation of the first results contained in the Report. They requested the Permanent Council to carry out phase two of the audit, on the basis of modalities proposed by the Presidency. This shall, in addition to multinational forces, also cover the identification and evaluation of relevant national forces and force capabilities. The results shall be presented to the next Ministerial meeting in Luxembourg. The findings of this audit should help to identify what changes need to be made to ensure that WEU's operational instruments (Military Staff, Military Committee, Satellite Centre etc) can make a more effective contribution to the mounting of crisis-management missions within the EU framework. They should also assist nations in identifying areas where national and multinational capabilities need to be strengthened in order to make the conduct of Petersberg operations more effective.
5. Ministers welcomed the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam.
Recalling the invitation of the European Council in Vienna to bring forward the completion of arrangements for enhanced WEU-EU cooperation under the Protocol of Art. 17 of the Treaty on European Union, so that these may come into effect on the Treaty's entry into force, Ministers endorsed the present set of arrangements which had been elaborated in WEU and EU and underlined the need for close dialogue and cooperation at all levels between the two Organisations with a view to the full application of the Amsterdam Treaty.
6. Ministers welcomed the results of the NATO Summit in Washington.
They noted with satisfaction that the key elements for the development of the European Security and Defence Identity within the Alliance, building on the Berlin, Brussels and Birmingham ministerial decisions, are being put in place and that the Alliance reaffirmed its strong commitment to pursue the process of reinforcing its European pillar. In this context, they welcomed the agreement with NATO of a Framework Document on the release of assets to WEU, and of improved consultation arrangements in the event of a WEU-led operation using NATO assets and capabilities. They appreciated that the Alliance welcomed the new impetus given to the strengthening of a common European policy in security and defence as laid out in paragraphs 8, 9 and 10 of the Washington Summit Communique.
7. Ministers noted with interest the report by the Presidency on the Military Committee meeting held at Berlin on 20 April 1999. In particular, they welcomed the progress made with regard to the organisational structure and functioning of the Military Staff and the decisions taken with a view to improving harmonisation of future military requirements in support of the process of force and armaments planning and subsequently for further developing European military capabilities.
Ministers endorsed the WEU proposal to NATO to incorporate the capabilities of the Associate Partner countries drawn from the PARP process into the Special Report on forces and capabilities available for WEU-led operations. This, as well as their future participation in relevant WEU discussions, would lead to a further enhancement of the role of the Associate Partner countries in the operational development of WEU.
8. Ministers underlined Russia's key role in Europe's security and stability and looked forward towards further developing WEU's relationship with Russia based on enhanced political dialogue and practical cooperation.
Ministers reaffirmed Ukraine's significance as a European partner. They welcomed the discussions with Ukraine on a catalogue of areas for political dialogue and practical cooperation between WEU and Ukraine. Ministers called on Belarus, Russia and Ukraine to ratify the Open Skies Treaty without further delay. Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the development of WEU's Mediterranean Dialogue and confirmed their readiness to further enhance cooperation with the non-WEU Mediterranean dialogue partners. The Dialogue contributes to confidence-building and cooperation in the region and reinforces other international efforts, notably the EU Barcelona Process, given additional impetus by the recent Stuttgart Conference, and NATO's Mediterranean dialogue. Ministers took note with appreciation of the ongoing dialogue between Cyprus* and WEU that evolves in line with the development of Cyprus's* links with the European Union, with which negotiations for accession are continuing.
9. Ministers reiterated the importance of continuing the Transatlantic Forum dialogue with decision-making circles in the United States and Canada. They welcomed the initiatives undertaken by the Danish Chair.
10. Ministers attached importance to the contribution of the WEU Assembly and its Committees to the Organisation's work and the ongoing reflection on European security and defence.
11. Ministers welcomed the statement presented by Luxembourg on its programme for its forthcoming Presidency of WEU.
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