NATO Summit: Time to decide

12.24.09pm GMT Tue 28th Nov 2006

The NATO Summit will begin today in Riga in a difficult context for the Atlantic alliance. Based on the experience of NATO forces in Afghanistan which shows that a strictly military organisation is no longer suitable for the new conflicts or threats faced, namely the fight against terrorism. From an integration aspect, NATO can not be the only political response for the European Union.

"The development of a genuine European Security and Defence Policy is an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy and an effective contribution to the European Union's international credibility and visibility", explains Graham Watson, Leader of the Alliance of Liberal and Democrats for Europe. According to him " the EU must first be able to defend itself where necessary either jointly with its allies or if necessary, alone. Secondly the EU must be able to maintain peace and security in its geographical neighbourhood, or in other parts of the world if agreed by the European Council and/or the UN Security Council, after consultation with the European Parliament.". In this perspective, Mr Watson underlines that " the scale and scope of current security threats requires a co-operative NATO-EU relationship that maximises the assets of both organisations and puts an end to institutional bickering. A constructive relationship between NATO and EU is a key component of a vibrant transatlantic relationship".

"ALDE sees ESDP and NATO policy as complementary without one being subservient to the other." says General Morillion, (UDF France). "Nevertheless, ALDE considers that increasing the effectiveness of ESDP will require a profound clarification of its nature vis-à-vis the US and its non-EU allies." adds General Morillion who insists that the intergovernmental budget of the ESDP must be supported by the community budget. "This would reflect more precisely the working methods and spirit of the ESDP and allow the European Parliament more control."

ALDE members consider that the intergovernmental methodology which led to the creation of the European currency could be used to advance the concept of a European defence force. In particular, ALDE supports the view that a consultation between France, United Kingdom, and other EU Member States must be envisaged before we can reach a common position on the establishment of such a European force.