Third: the formulation of an independent European security and defence identity.

The European security and defence identity should and shall emerge.

But how can such respect be compatible with a progressive agenda when it comes to the European security and defence identity?

The way to do that is to create a genuine European security and defence identity, based on new foundations and adapted to the current situation.

Now, it would seem that the European security and defence identity is making dramatic progress in the wake of the Helsinki summit.

The Petersberg Tasks can become the launching pad for a European security and defence identity.

It is even going one step further by opening the way for a European armaments policy within the framework of a European security and defence identity.

Also partly as a result of Kosovo, the pace of the debate on a European security and defence identity is steadily quickening.

European Security and Defence Identity.

It also underlines the need to give form to the European security and defence identity which the Berlin Summit....

Thirdly, we need a European security and defence identity to complete the Common Foreign and Security Policy.

According to the Washington Declaration, the European security and defence identity is open to all NATO countries.

We intend to draw up a report on means of further developing the European security and defence identity by the time of the Cologne European Council.

Where Mr Souchet blames the Americans for the fact that a European security and defence identity does not yet exist, he should really search his own conscience.

Eleven out of fourteen of our EU partners wish to create a European security and defence identity within NATO.

Adequate arrangements for the development of a European Security and Defence identity within NATO were agreed at Washington in 1999 and subsequently.

This is necessary to make the CSFP, the Petersberg Tasks mentioned by the Commissioner and the European security and defence identity a reality.

It is stated in paragraph 3 that a European arms policy is an essential element in strengthening the European security and defence identity within NATO.

After the creation of the single market and economic and monetary union, the formulation of a European security and defence identity has now become central to the European integration process.

The Tindemans report mentions the European security and defence identity; all of this seen against the background of the Western European Union's place in the Atlantic Alliance.

France supports the development of a European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI) as the foundation of efforts to enhance security in the European Union.

The summit leaders endorsed the concept of Combined Joint Task Forces (CJTFs) and other measures to develop the European Security and Defence Identity.

Mr President, there is no doubt that the CFSP must be strengthened, particularly in the areas of early warning, conflict prevention and the development of the European security and defence identity.

Mr President, it goes without saying that the development of a European security and defence identity will have a huge impact on the three countries which joined NATO last year: Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary.

Mr Titley has certainly done an excellent job, but I cannot agree with him when he says, in paragraph 3, that 'a European arms policy is an essential element in... the establishment of a European security and defence identity within NATO'.