By 421 votes in favour to 90 votes against with 15 abstentions, Parliament adopted an own initiative report by Helmut KUHNE (PES, DE) on the European Security Strategy. It w elcomed the comprehensive understanding of the concept of ‘security’ as expressed in the European Security Strategy (ESS), and shared the view that key threats to global security presently include terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), unresolved regional conflicts, failed and failing states and organised crime. These threats can neither be primarily addressed nor exclusively resolved by military means.

Parliament emphasised the positive contributions already made by the EU Situation Centre (SITCEN) in combining all available civil, military and diplomatic intelligence to produce cogent background analyses of any given situation. It urges the Member States to further intensify their information-sharing with the SITCEN,

With regard to milestones achieved, Parliament underscored, in particular with respect to achieving the full operational mobility of the Battle Groups by 2007, the importance of the Global Approach on Deployability and, in this context, welcomed the contributions made by the coordinating centres of Athens and Eindhoven in the military transport.

It notes with satisfaction the rapid action taken in creating the European Defence Agency (EDA) in advance of the formal adoption of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The activities of the EDA should benefit the Union, not only in further developing defence capabilities in crisis management, but also in bringing about a rationalisation of research and development costs within the Member States and, in the long run, helping to contribute to the creation of a European armaments market.

Parliament went on to call on the countries defined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty as nuclear-weapon states, in particular the USA, China and Russia, in view of the uncontrollably spreading danger of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to review their own nuclear policies in the spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It regretted the efforts made by the US administration over the last four years to promote the development of new nuclear weapons and its refusal to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Parliament also expressed concern at Russia’s inadequate efforts to protect its nuclear stocks. It criticised China’s massive increase in military spending (12,6%), its comprehensive modernisation of its nuclear armed forces and the increase in its imports of modern weapons technologies.

Finally, Parliament encouraged the new European Defence Agency to examine the possibilities for cooperation with NATO in the area of armaments.

By 421 votes in favour to 90 votes against with 15 abstentions, Parliament adopted an own initiative report by Helmut KUHNE (PES, DE) on the European Security Strategy. It w elcomed the comprehensive understanding of the concept of ‘security’ as expressed in the European Security Strategy (ESS), and shared the view that key threats to global security presently include terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), unresolved regional conflicts, failed and failing states and organised crime. These threats can neither be primarily addressed nor exclusively resolved by military means.

Parliament emphasised the positive contributions already made by the EU Situation Centre (SITCEN) in combining all available civil, military and diplomatic intelligence to produce cogent background analyses of any given situation. It urges the Member States to further intensify their information-sharing with the SITCEN,

With regard to milestones achieved, Parliament underscored, in particular with respect to achieving the full operational mobility of the Battle Groups by 2007, the importance of the Global Approach on Deployability and, in this context, welcomed the contributions made by the coordinating centres of Athens and Eindhoven in the military transport.

It notes with satisfaction the rapid action taken in creating the European Defence Agency (EDA) in advance of the formal adoption of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe. The activities of the EDA should benefit the Union, not only in further developing defence capabilities in crisis management, but also in bringing about a rationalisation of research and development costs within the Member States and, in the long run, helping to contribute to the creation of a European armaments market.

Parliament went on to call on the countries defined in the Non-Proliferation Treaty as nuclear-weapon states, in particular the USA, China and Russia, in view of the uncontrollably spreading danger of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, to review their own nuclear policies in the spirit of the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It regretted the efforts made by the US administration over the last four years to promote the development of new nuclear weapons and its refusal to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. Parliament also expressed concern at Russia’s inadequate efforts to protect its nuclear stocks. It criticised China’s massive increase in military spending (12,6%), its comprehensive modernisation of its nuclear armed forces and the increase in its imports of modern weapons technologies.

Finally, Parliament encouraged the new European Defence Agency to examine the possibilities for cooperation with NATO in the area of armaments.

PURPOSE : to report on the results of a study into the creation of a "European Security Research Programme" ESRP.

CONTENT : in light of the changing security situation in Europe the Commission initiated the convening of a "Group of Personalities in the field of security research". The primary mission of this Group was to proposes principles and priorities of a "European Security Research Programme" ESRP. A report entitled "Research for a Secure Europe" was presented by the Group in March 2004, in which the establishment of an ESRP was recommended.

The basic thrust for the development of an ESRP is based on the assumption that emerging security threats ignore state borders and target European interests both within and outside the territory of the EU. In order to address the fluid nature of recent security threats Europe needs to harness the combined strengths of relevant industry and research groups to effectively address future security challenges. In addressing emerging security challenges, technology plays a key role. Yet, if Europe is to effectively tap into the technology potential for combating security threats, it needs to overcome current structural and functional deficiencies – most notably through reducing fragmentation and duplication of effort, by increasing co-operation and achieving standardisation and interoperability. The Commission Report suggests that a coherent security research programme at the level of the European Union could add significant value to the optimal use of a highly competent European industry. The research conducted should be capability driven, targeted at the development of inter-operable systems, products and services designed to protect European citizens, territory and critical infrastructures as well as for peacekeeping activities. Other areas covered could include security of the energy supply as well as transport.

At the same time as setting up the ESRP account must be taken of respect for human rights, privacy, social and community cohesion and the successful integration of minority communities.

In terms of the Group of Personalities findings, they make the following recommendations:

- The establishment of an ESRP from 2007 onwards. The focus of the research group should be internal security and should be funded by an annual budget of EUR 1 billion. The ESRP should be additional to the EU Research Framework Programme, national or other intergovernmental sources.

- The creation of a "European Security Research Advisory Board" to define strategic lines of action, user involvement, mechanisms for implementation and a strategic research agenda for the ESRP.

- The need for greater co-operation between the EU institutions and other stakeholders.

In summary, the Commission subscribes to the main thrust of the recommendations and orientations of the recommendations presented by the Group. Based on this conclusion the Commission will:

- Consult and co-operate with the main stakeholders through the creation of a "European Security Research Advisory Board" by Autumn 2004.

- Recommend the creation of a "European Security Research Programme" by 2007. The Commission notes that security research has been included in the Communication of the Financial Perspectives of the EU for 2007-2013. Note, the ESRP should be implemented as a specific research programme with its own set of procedures (adapted to confidentiality requirements) rules for participation, contracts and funding arrangements. The Commission further accepts that ESRP funding should be additional to any financing ensured today by the Community Research Framework Programme, national or other inter-governmental sources.

- Ensure that the ESRP will be compatible with the EU's CFSP and ESDP as well as other relevant Commission policies associated with internal security are fully taken into account in the development of security research.

- Establish the best mechanisms to ensure the effective management of the ESRP – such as flexible contracts, participation and funding.