Paris, 5 December – The WEU Assembly expressed the hope on Monday that reforms would be undertaken within the EU with a view to deepening the ESDP, without waiting for the uncertainty now hanging over the fate of the Constitutional Treaty to be removed.
 
Thus, in a report submitted on behalf of the Political Committee, Mr Andrea Manzella (Italy, Socialist Group) considers that it would be “desirable to support moves to strengthen the role of the EU CFSP High Representative and to set up a European diplomatic service to give greater coherence and visibility to the foreign and security policy of the European Union”. Mr Manzella points out that such a service could be set up by a simple administrative act and he considered that the fact that there is an institutional crisis cannot provide an alibi or constitute a pretext for delays in developing the ESDP.
 
Following the Rapporteur’s recommendations, the Assembly declared that it is “convinced nevertheless that the uncertainty now hanging over the fate of the Constitutional Treaty does not affect continuing efforts to carry on the ESDP project, either through cooperation or the structures established pursuant to the existing Treaties, or through arrangements or cooperation falling outside them”. And, noting that “European Union involvement … [is] raising considerable expectations of the EU's determination in regard to the management of crises”, the Assembly is also “hoping earnestly that an inclusive approach will be taken towards ESDP activities as a whole, and that they will not be excessively curtailed by institutional considerations”.
 
The Assembly also hopes to “provide parliamentary scrutiny of the ESDP” during the “transitional period”, by “establishing synergy” between the WEU Assembly and the European Parliament. The report also points out that “more and more European leaders feel it necessary to give national parliaments a greater role in the management of European affairs” and suggests that “it is entirely feasible to include the Assembly in the consultation and information process now in place between the European executive and the European Parliament for the CFSP and ESDP”. It adds that “as a quid pro quo the European Parliament could have more involvement in the activities of the Assembly”.
 
Lastly, the Assembly considers that in view of the threats associated with “disaster terrorism” and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, Europe needs to take “vigorous measures” and to consolidate the “spirit of solidarity” among Europeans and the “unhesitating resolve to defend one another”. In this respect, it considers that “full application of the modified Brussels Treaty and opening it up to new signatory states assumes vital importance for strengthening Europe's security”.