12 February 2009 - Among the first visits made this week in Brussels by the President of the European Security and Defence Assembly, Robert WALTER, MP (United Kingdom, Federated Group of Christian Democrats and European Democrats), was a call on the President of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert PÖTTERING.

Presidents PÖTTERING and WALTER discussed the implications for Europe of the ratification (or not) of the Lisbon Treaty, as well as the need to reinforce parliamentary scrutiny of Europe’s foreign, security and defence policy, where the European Parliament and National Parliaments have distinctive but complementary responsibilities.

Robert WALTER hopes that the new European Parliament to be elected in June will wish to develop cooperation with the European Security and Defence Assembly in a joint effort to solicit greater public support for ESDP and for what the European nations are contributing for both military and civilian operations.