Activites

• 1997/06/02 Final act published in Official Journal
• 1997/05/14 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
  • T4-0234/1997 summary

    In adopting the report by Mr Leo TINDEMANS (PPE, B) on the development of new prospects for the EU's common security policy, the European Parliament called for a new concept of 'security' which would meet the criteria defined by the Lisbon European Council (four areas could be incorporated into joint action: the procedures of the CSCE, disarmament policy, nuclear non-proliferation, control of technology transfer and arms exports). Parliament proposed that security should be defined as a double concept: 1) an external dimension, under the CFSP, which would include: . the territorial integrity of the EU and its Member States and the protection of its citizens; . conventional and nuclear arms control; . border problems which might destabilize the EU for a variety of reasons (such as minorities and ethnic conflicts); . combatting the inequalities between rich and poor countries (which had an impact on the movement of migrants and the rise of racism); . the protection of the environment. ) an internal dimension, which would come under the Third Pillar and would include: . threats due to terrorism, organized crime and trafficking of all kinds, . the economic and social crises which focused popular discontent on foreigners, resulting in racism and xenophobia. As regards the means to implement these actions, security would be ensured: - externally, by means of conventional instruments of diplomacy and by confidence-building measures in the military sphere, development aid, peace missions, etc., - internally, by economic and social measures, cultural activities and by developing EUROPOL and police cooperation (including efforts to bring certain fields within the Community system). Parliament proposed, in particular, the creation of a European corps of military and civilian units with special responsibility for maintaining and restoring peace. It therefore called on the IGC to provide for: . the inclusion in the Treaties of a political solidarity clause and the principle of the integrity of borders, . Petersberg-type missions which could take the form of joint measures, . the creation of an Analysis Centre for preventive action and policy planning, which would be under the joint responsibility of the Council and the Commission, with support from the WEU. It also called for the operational structures of the WEU to be strengthened, prior to its ultimate merger with the EU. In conjunction with this, Parliament reflected generally on the regional aspects of common security, particularly with regard to the following: - relations with the CEE, recalling that the enlargement of NATO to include the countries of eastern Europe must not mean a new division within the continent of Europe, - relations with the Balkans, calling on the countries concerned to work towards the democratization of their institutions, - relations with the Baltic States, recalling that tensions are still possible in this region and that everything possible should be done to prevent a resurgence of these conflicts, - relations with the Near East and the Mediterranean, reaffirming Parliament's support for a security policy based on improved economic and social conditions and for the peace process. Finally, Parliament took the view that it would be appropriate to provide for Joint Councils which would bring together the Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers of the Member States, particularly when undertaking Petersberg-type missions. �

• 1997/04/21 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0162/1997
• 1995/06/27 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading

Documents

• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A4-0162/1997
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0234/1997

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)