BBC News | EUROPE | EU defence force outlined

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Monday, 6 December, 1999, 23:17 GMT

EU defence force outlined

European Union foreign ministers have agreed an outline for a rapid reaction force of up to 60,000 troops by 2003.

At a meeting in Brussels, they approved a report submitted by the Finnish EU presidency for discussion and endorsement by the 15 heads of government at their summit in Helsinki this weekend.

"The ministers accepted the report without making any changes," an EU spokesman said.

He added that some member states had reservations on issues such as decision-making procedures and co-operation with Nato, but that they had opted to leave it to the heads of government to make any changes to the text.

Humanitarian role

The force is intended to respond fast in a crisis and strengthen Europe's security identity, but is not being seen as a European army.

BBC EU correspondent Colin Blane says it would enable members to tackle humanitarian crises such as Kosovo without relying on the United States.

Under proposals contained in the 13-page Finnish report, the force would comprise up to 15 brigades, or 50,000 to 60,000 personnel, and include naval and air elements.

It should be able to deploy fully in 60 days and be able to sustain such a deployment for at least a year.

Enlargement

The 15 foreign ministers also focused on progress towards enlargement of the EU and the internal reforms of the Union the arrival of new member states will require.

They recommended negotiations should begin with the second wave of six countries hoping to join the EU.

Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania and Malta are all likely to be admitted into preliminary membership talks next year.

Enlargement procedures for the six front-line applicants - Cyprus, the Czech republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia - "should be ready by 2002, when the door should be open and the speed of accession will be determined", said a Finnish presidency spokesman.

Chechnya

Another issue the foreign ministers discussed was Russia's military intervention in Chechnya.

A statement condemned Russia's ultimatum to Chechens to leave their capital or die and said the EU was considering not signing accords with Moscow to put pressure on it to end the bloodshed.

Related to this story:
EU set to spread east (13 Oct 99 | Europe)
EU aspirants seek negotiation deadline (11 Oct 99 | Europe)
German Chancellor urges faster EU enlargement (30 Sep 99 | Europe)

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