One of the important issues addressed at the EU’s Helsinki Summit has been the Common European Security and Defence Policy (CESDP).

The fact that EU is engaged for some time in the development of this policy, which aims at carrying out EU-led crisis management, peace keeping and peace support operations, as well as the development of EU’s capabilities in this field for such contingencies, where NATO as a whole will not be involved is well known. At the Summit a progress report which tries to establish the progress made in the work geared towards this end has been adopted by Heads of State or Government.

Turkey, as a European country aware of her responsibilities has always supported the notion that Europeans should assume more roles and responsibilities in matters pertaining to the security of the continent. NATO continues to be the primary organisation for the security and defence of Europe. In this context, Alliance solidarity and cohesion and the preservation of the transatlantic link between European and North American Allies are tenets to which we attach particular importance. Furthermore, we believe that transparency, inclusiveness and the indivisibility of European security are basic principles which should be the basis of all work in this field.

Work is carried out within NATO for the development of European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) in parallel to the work in the EU for the CESDP. NATO Allies at their Summit meeting held in Washington on 23-24 April 1999, with the participation of their Heads of State or Government, through the documents accepted therein have established the basis which takes into account our expectations for full and equal participation of European Allies who are not, like Turkey, members of the EU, in the new structures to be established within the context of the CESDP. Since then, intensive presentations have been made by us both at NATO and bilaterally at EU members for the acceptance of arrangements that would on this basis ensure our full and equal participation in the new structures. Our efforts have been intensified on the preservation and further development on a contractual basis of our acquis acquired at the WEU, to which we are an associate member.

The points reflected in the progress report adopted at the Helsinki Summit indicate that the understanding prevailing in the EU is still far from being satisfactory regarding the participation of European Allies like Turkey, who are not members of the EU, in the new structures within the CESDP. Work concerning the development of the ESDI will be continued not only in the EU, but also within NATO during the forthcoming period. During this period we will continue our demarches regarding the fulfillment of our expectations on participation. We will persist in defending our legitimate views.

Our wish is that the EU will show the necessary foresight for establishing a satisfactory arrangement for the participation of all European Allies, so that there will be no difficulty in defining the modalities for the foreseen NATO-EU relations.

At any eventuality, our belief is that Turkey, who has contributed substantially to European security and defence through her membership in NATO since 1952, will take the place she deserves in the new structure.