Paris, 18 June 2001.- The WEU-ESDA Assembly Monday called for the council of ministers to draw up a series of options to promote mutual assistance on defence in the European Union (EU).
 
A recommendation adopted by the Assembly said that the options should “help to overcome the difficulties that persist as regards including a mutual assitance clause in the Treaty on European Union.”   
 
The Council should also play an active role in the custodianship of Article V of the modified Brussels Treaty and strive to increase the number of signatories to it, the recommendation said.   
 
In a report by the political committee on a follow-up to the decisions taken at last December’s EU summit in Nice, Michael Liapis (Greece-Fed.) said that until “the shape of parliamentary scrutiny over the ESDP (European Security and Defence Policy)” is decided, it is “important not lose sight of the idea: a genuine European defence with a democratic structure and scrutiny arrangements.” This should be independent, open to cooperation with NATO allies and include armaments cooperation among member states.