High-level seminar on the relationship between the European Union and NATO
- On: 07.07.2008
- In: Paris
The relationship between the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation is governed by the conclusions of the Nice European Council and the "Berlin Plus arrangements" finalised in March 2003, which establish a strategic partnership for crisis management.
While this relationship has proved effective in cases where the European Union has intervened, with recourse to NATO equipment and resources, it is nevertheless facing certain difficulties, particularly when both organisations are working in the same field of operations.
Relaunching the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) is among the priorities of the French Presidency and comes under the updating of the European Security Strategy. This reinforcement of the ESDP will be carried out in conjunction with NATO.
The seminar held on 7 July 2008 by France in partnership with the European Union Institute for Security Studies, is intended to identify possible options for enhancing the effectiveness of the EU-NATO relationship.
It will notably bring together Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Javier Solana, Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, and Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, NATO Secretary-General, and will be concluded by Gérard Errera, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
- Updated: 22.12.2008
