EU leaders advance on a common defence policy

Date: 27/05/1999

THE EU will move a step nearer to a common defence policy at next week's Cologne summit by agreeing a detailed blueprint for strengthening the Union's ability to launch military action.

But the plans set to be approved by EU leaders fall far short of calls by incoming European Commission President Romano Prodi for a "European army" to carry out classical combat operations.

The EU's four neutral countries are opposed to any move which could lead to member states being required to defend others against attacks by third countries. "There is no way we are going to be responsible for defending Greece," said one diplomat from a non-NATO country.

In Cologne, EU leaders are expected to approve a German plan mapping out how the Union could take independent military action in future, without relying on the political support of other NATO countries or the alliance's equipment.