Paris, 31 January 2001.- During his official visit to The Hague on 29 and 30 January, Assembly President Klaus BÜHLER held extensive talks with Foreign Minister Jozias VAN AARTSEN and Defence Minister Frank DE GRAVE in their capacity as WEU Presidency as well as with the President of the First Chamber of Parliament Frits KORTHALS ALTES, the President of the Second Chamber of Parliament Mrs Jeltje VAN NIEUWENHOVEN and various members of the Dutch Parliament.
 
The talks focused on the future parliamentary dimension of ESDP. It was generally agreed that the question of adequate parliamentary involvement in the European Security and Defence Policy needs to be solved. The Dutch government affirmed its resolve to elaborate this issue at the European level. As a first step, the Dutch Government will discuss the question at a forthcoming meeting of the Benelux Council. Both Ministers stressed the importance of sound cooperation with the European Parliament. The issue will be developed further together with the Swedish EU Presidency. For this reason, President BÜHLER will have talks with the Swedish Government in Stockholm on 8/9 March.