Paris, 19 May 2010 - Meeting in Zagreb yesterday, the Committee for Parliamentary and Public Relations of the European Security and Defence Assembly (ESDA), under the chairmanship of Mr Paul WILLE (Belgium, Liberal Group), debated three parliamentary reports on the following subjects:


“CSDP monitoring by national parliaments and in the European Parliament – reply to the annual report of the Council”
Rapporteurs:  Mrs Marietta KARAMANLI (France, Socialist Group) and Mr Hendrik DAEMS (Belgium, Liberal Group)
In its draft resolution, the Assembly regrets that “the governments did not consider the benefits of setting up a new structure before closing down the WEU Assembly, thus forcing the pace of ongoing discussions on finding a suitable solution”. In particular, the ESDA invites national parliaments to “call for an ambitious implementation of the Lisbon Treaty provisions on interparliamentary cooperation in the area of the CSDP” and asks national parliaments “to set up a cost-effective and permanent structure which is unaffected by the changes of national governments”.


“Afghanistan – explaining the reasons for the war to the public”
Rapporteurs: Mr John GREENWAY (United Kingdom, Federated Group) and Mr Marco ZACCHERA, Vice-Chairman (Italy, Federated Group)
In its draft recommendation, the Assembly notes “the dwindling support among the public at large for continuing military operations in Afghanistan” and recommends that the EU and NATO adopt a communication strategy which “reminds people at all times that the principal aim of the war is to combat terrorism” and at the same time places emphasis on “recognition of the sacrifices made by troops on mission and making clear the connection between the work they do and our security”.


“Proposal for a European award for Citizenship, Security and Defence”
Rapporteur: Ms Christine McCAFFERTY (United Kingdom, Socialist Group)
In its draft recommendation, the Assembly recommends to the President of the European Council that “a European award for Citizenship, Security and Defence should be established which would reward outstanding efforts in promoting European citizenship and European security and defence awareness”.


These three parliamentary reports and accompanying political recommendations to EU governments will be debated and voted on at the Assembly’s upcoming plenary session at the Palais d’Iéna, Paris, from 15 to 17 June. If you wish to attend the plenary session, please contact Assembly Press Counsellor, Corine Caballero-Bourdot, (ccaballero@assembly.weu.int).