nion, to elaborate and implement
decisions and actions of the Union which have defence implications.
To this end, WEU will take the following measures to develop a close
working relationship with the Union:
- as appropriate, synchronization of the dates and venues of meetings
and harmonization of working methods;
- establishment of close co-operation between the Council and
Secretariat-General of WEU on the one hand, and the Council of the
Union and General Secretariat of the Council on the other;
- consideration of the harmonization of the sequence and duration of
the respective Presidencies;
- arranging for appropriate modalities so as to ensure that the
Commission of the European Communities is regularly informed and,
as appropriate, consulted on WEU activities in accordance with the
role of the Commission in the common foreign and security policy as
defined in the Treaty on European Union;
- encouragement of closer co-operation between the Parliamentary
Assembly of WEU and the European Parliament.
The WEU Council shall, in agreement with the competent bodies of the
European Union, adopt the necessary practical arrangements.
B. WEU's relations with the Atlantic Alliance
4. The objective is to develop WEU as a means to strengthen the
European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance. Accordingly WEU is prepared
to develop further the close working links between WEU and the
Alliance and to strengthen the role, responsibilities and contributions
of WEU Member States in the Alliance. This will be undertaken on the
basis of the necessary transparency and complementarity between
the emerging European security and defence identity and the Alliance.
WEU will act in conformity with the positions adopted in the Atlantic
Alliance.
- WEU Member States will intensify their co-ordination on Alliance
issues which represent an important common interest with the aim of
introducing joint positions agreed in WEU into the process of
consultation in the Alliance which will remain the essential forum for
consultation among its members and the venue for agreement on
policies bearing on the security and defence commitments of Allies
under the North Atlantic Treaty.
- Where necessary, dates and venues of meetings will be
synchronized and working methods harmonized.
- Close co-operation will be established between the Secretariats-
General of WEU and NATO.
C. Operational role of WEU
5. WEU's operational role will be strengthened by examining and