EU Takes Crucial Step for Independent Troops by 2003BRUSSELS, November 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Defense ministers from 15 member countries of the European Union (EU) agreed November 20 that they were determined to form a 60,000-member independent rapid- reaction force by 2003.At a defense ministerial meeting here, High Representative for Diplomacy and Security of the EU Javier Solana said that the 15- nation bloc needs to maintain decision-making autonomy, avoid duplication and draw on NATO's expertise for the military plan. He said the EU is expected in next few months to finalize the review mechanism, establish permanent structures including a joint- military center, complete EU-NATO arrangements for security, work out crisis management procedures and "put in place an exercise policy that will allow us to test our arrangements." The set-up of an independent combat force will help the EU strengthen its ability to tackle crisis and increase its role in keeping peace and stability and protecting human rights, he said. Analysts in Europe said the move to set up such a force has been taken in the light of the US presidential campaign, in which the Republicans who control the Congress have signaled reluctance to see the US military take on extensive peacekeeping duties in Europe. EU governments believed that they would weigh more heavily in trans-Atlantic bargaining if they had a force of their own that promised to be a useful complement to the US power. |
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