Earlier efforts were made to have a common European security and defence policy.

All these reports are building blocks for a common European security and defence policy.

This is the case with the establishment of an effective common European security and defence policy.

As far as the content is concerned, we need the Commission's presence to be felt in the common European security and defence policy.

Mr President, considerable progress has been made towards the establishment of a common European security and defence policy.

There should not be attempts to create a European armed police force behind the cloak of the common European security and defence policy.

But the wish to create a coherent transport system in Europe may be harder to put into effect than a common European security and defence policy.

Cologne and Helsinki have added substance to the common European security and defence policy.

Today, conflict prevention is also a central element of the developing Common European Security and Defence Policy.

Let me finally say a few words about other elements of the cooperation surrounding the Common European Security and Defence Policy.

It was also pointed out that the development of the common European security and defence policy will contribute to the vitality of the renewed transatlantic connection.

As such, the common European security and defence policy, ESDP, is one of our most important processes.

The afternoon session will be devoted to the issues of enlargement of the Union, the common European security and defence policy and external relations.

An innovative European space policy and a common European security and defence policy can bring us some way towards achieving that.

In parallel with the IGC, the Member States are discussing a common European security and defence policy.

Secondly, a signal to take account of and strengthen the role of the European Parliament in fashioning a common European security and defence policy.

Will the common European security and defence policy turn into a cosy intergovernmental get-together or will national parliaments and the European Parliament be truly involved?

It states that everything done with regard to the common European security and defence policy must be carried out in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter.

Mr President, we are regularly reassured that the measures being put in place under the common European security and defence policy are intended to strengthen NATO.

Our overall concern is that the common European security and defence policy is indeed a further step towards European political integration and that is our fundamental objection.

The EULEX mission, the largest mission under the common European Security and Defence Policy to date, is already underway.

With the supplementary and amending budget the Council intends to set up three new directorates within its General Secretariat to implement the common European security and defence policy.

Without a credible military capacity, the common European security and defence policy will remain on paper and in the words of those who do not have the necessary tools to effectively implement it.

The Common European Security and Defence Policy requires a close, intense and transparent relationship between the European Union and NATO.

As for the development of the common European security and defence policy, again based on the report which we will present to the European Council, I believe that significant progress has been made.