Solana sees EU role in global flashpoints

By Andrew Beatty

Date: 27/10/05

Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy representative, is to set out the case for the EU becoming a more active player in conflicts around the world when he addresses EU leaders at Hampton Court Palace today (27 October)

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has invited Solana to speak about "how Europe can contribute to making the world a safer place". Solana will say that the EU must be ready to take on new missions if and when it is requested to act.

He is to tell leaders that European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) missions are good value for money.

But Solana will face some resistance. Although operations are co-ordinated by the EU, member states are charged with supplying personnel and equipment for ESDP and civilian crisis management missions.

While the EU has increasingly sought to co-ordinate a range of civilian and military operations to manage crises and conflicts, the scale of missions and political responsibility has also increased.

With EU leaders already squaring off for the next round of top-level negotiations on the EU budget in December, Solana is not expected to ask for an increase in funding for ESDP missions.

Article reports that Javier Solana, the EU's foreign policy representative, was to set out the case for the EU becoming a more active player in conflicts around the world when addressing EU leaders at Hampton Court Palace on 27 October 2005