European Parliament Votes for Stronger Common Defense Policy

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, April 11, 2003

European Parliament Votes for Stronger Common Defense Policy

The European Parliament's (EP) plenary session has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a report calling for a stronger common foreign and security policy.

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The European Parliament's (EP) plenary session has voted overwhelmingly in favor of a report calling for a stronger common foreign and security policy.

The report was adopted by the European Union's (EU) legislaturein Strasbourg, France after two days of debate, the EuroNews Television reported Thursday.

The report, drafted by French member of the European ParliamentPhilippe Morillon and hailed by Greece as a "source of inspiration", sets out ideas and principles for the establishment of a more effective European Security and Defense Policy.

It calls for an EU defense clause (for those states willing to take on this responsibility), increased capabilities, a common defense budget and a common armaments agency.

Moreover, the report suggests the establishment of a joint military college and the creation of 5,000-strong force permanently ready to intervene for humanitarian and rescue operations.

European Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten welcomed the report while addressing the EP. He hoped that the overhaul of the policy would help enhance the competition awareness of the related industries.

The EU's common foreign and security policy was officially set out in the Maastricht Treaty which came into force in 1993. The common security and defense policy, formed in the overall framework of the common foreign and security policy, was explainedby the Amsterdam Treaty in 1999. EU leaders amended and enriched the policy at subsequent summit meetings.

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