ESDP: MINISTERS EYE DECISIONS ON DEFENCE AGENCY, PLANNING IN JUNE.

Capabilities.

The Council's stock-take of the development of the EU's military capabilities had pluses and minuses. On one hand, "notable progress was achieved in addressing capability shortfalls", and EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana said that substantial progress had been seen in the last months on rapid response. But Council also recognised that "further progress will be required on the recognised shortfalls and deficits from the Headline Goal 2003".

A Capability Improvement Chart 2004 has been drawn up, addressing shortfalls and deficits, and including the contributions of the ten new EU Member States. Concerning progress in 2002-2004, a number of items are listed as "solved" - for example: nuclear-biological-chemical battalions; air operation centre; air support for maritime operations; and patrol vessels/fast ships. Improvements are noted on deployable laboratories; sea ports of disembarkation units; operation headquarters; and mechanised infantry battalions.

But many areas are listed as "situation remains approximately the same", and there are several qualitative/readiness shortfalls, such as in strategic airlift, and in the area of command, control, communications and information.

New Headline Goal.

Adopting a lengthy set of Conclusions on ESDP, the Council approved a document on a new Headline Goal 2010 which will be submitted to the June European Council. The EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC) will take the necessary steps leading to a more precise definition of the Headline Goal. Interoperability, deployability, and sustainability will be the "driving factors" of the Headline Goal 2010. High readiness is also stressed - the idea is that the EU would be able to take a decision to launch an operation within 5 days of the approval of the crisis-management concept by the Council, with the operation on the ground staring no later than ten days after that. Mr Solana stressed the importance of advance planning, and flexible and rapid decision-making.

Member States have identified the following indicative list of specific milestones within the 2010 horizon, including:

- the establishment as early as possible in 2004 of a civil-military cell within the EU Military Staff, with the capacity rapidly to set up an operation centre for a particular operation;

- the establishment of the Defence Agency in the course of 2004;

- the implementation by 2005 of EU Strategic lift join co-ordination, with a view to achieving by 2010...