EU-NATO deal critical to security policy, says Spain

Date: 28/03/02

By David Cronin

A DEAL allowing the EU's new military structures to use NATO assets will be 'very difficult' to reach if it is not thrashed out before the Spanish presidency ends in June, the country's defence minister has predicted.

Arguing that the 'entire future' of the Union's security and defence policy hinges on obtaining access to NATO assets, Federico Trillo said clashes between historical foes Greece and Turkey are 'paralysing the issue'. If these cannot be overcome in the next few months, the chances of securing a deal will become more remote during the two following presidencies.

Spain is due to hand over the baton to Denmark in the second half of this year, with Greece assuming the presidency in January 2003. Copenhagen, which has negotiated an 'opt out' from EU military undertakings, 'does not share the [European] Community security and defence objectives', said Trillo. His comments have been posted on Madrid's EU website, www.ue2002.es.

Foreign policy chief Javier Solana pledged to continue striving towards an accord during last weekend's meeting of EU defence ministers in Zaragoza, Spain. He regards this as vital if the Union is to realise its plan to take over the NATO-led 'Amber Fox' operation in Macedonia from September.

The NATO mandate for the 700-strong peacekeeping force was recently renewed until the end of June, with the possibility of a three-month extension.

EU officials feel that running this force is necessary to give the Union practical experience of keeping the peace in a volatile region.

A deal allowing the EU's new military structures to use NATO assets will be 'very difficult' to reach if it is not thrashed out before the Spanish presidency ends in June 2002, the country's defence minister has predicted.