DEFENCE: EU MINISTERS PLEDGE TO FIND FINANCING SOLUTIONS BY NEXT MARCH.

The meeting, which took place during angry protests against possible attacks on Iraq outside the venue in the seaside resort of Rethymno, decided to set up a new "working group" or "committee" made up of national armaments directors or their deputies to explore alternative ways of financing capabilities needed for successful operations carried out under the EU's European Security and Defence Policy. This, and the previous point, will be formally endorsed by EU Foreign Ministers at the General Affairs and External Relations Council on November 17-18.

Speaking at the meeting, the EU's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana, called on Member States to address the question of funding for defence procurement. "The issue of resources will have to be tackled seriously", he...