DEFENCE: PREPARING FOR FEIRA SUMMIT.

The European Council at Feira on 19-20 June is being asked to adopt a report on CESDP that covers the new permanent political military and political bodies to be set up, and to review consultation and participation arrangements for non-EU countries in EU-led crisis management operations, and consultation and co-operation arrangements with NATO. It is also to reflect on whether the EU Treaty needs revising in the light of the CESDP, although any judgement on this will have to await final decisions on the new structures.In parallel, Feira will also be asked to adopt a study of concrete objectives for joint non-military civil responses to Petersberg situations, and to endorse the creation of a new committee for civil aspects of crisis management. Key elements in the recommendations will be strong civil police capacities, restoration of functioning judicial and penal systems, and adequate civil protection capacities.More Member State symbiosis.Germany and France have jointly agreed on purchases of the future Airbus A400M as a military transport, and on revitalising an independent European satellite surveillance system (Helios-2), giving another concrete boost to ongoing efforts at convergence of Member State defence procurement decisions in the context of CESDP. The UK recently similarly opted for the Airbus.Major NATO efforts in parallel.The EU attempt to build a convincing new defence capability is mirrored by the efforts of NATO to update its own capacities, particularly in Europe - and especially through its Defence Capabilities Initiative. And the central message for NATO members on DCI is similar to that being repeatedly delivered to EU Member States as they try to make a reality of the EU Headline Goals. "No-one should fool themselves that reform and reprioritisation are enough on their own. Strong defence means two things for NATO's nations - spending wisely, but also spending enough. Europe in particular has to live up to its stated ambitions to play a stronger defence role", said Lord Robertson, NATO Secretary-General, during the course of a series of major NATO meetings in Brussels on 8-9 June.Defence Ministers of the North Atlantic Council agreed on 8 June that improvements are needed in a number of areas of its Defence Capabilities Initiative, particularly in NATO's ability to move forces quickly where they are needed, to support them as long as necessary and rotate them as required, to provide them with the means they need to...