Unofficial Meeting

Among the main issues under discussion at the meeting were the future of transatlantic partnership, common foreign and security policy (CFSP), and security and defense policy (ESDP). "There was no unity on the issue, as there are different conceptions on the whole issue," said Ojuland. The first conception would be that agreed by leaders of Belgium, France, Germany and Luxembourg who have announced that they have reached agreement on the establishment of a joint military planning headquarters for European operations in which NATO would not take part and the creation of a European rapid reaction force, which would be open also to other EU members. The other conception is that there are NATO and institutions within the framework of ESDP that just need to be made more effective. "No one doubts that the European Union must improve its defense capabilities," she said. "But we do not see it necessary to create any new institutions, as there already is NATO," Ojuland said. Ojuland stressed that Estonia’s standpoint is clear: it sees NATO as the main guarantee of its security. She said that the current debate is nevertheless a good starting point for discussions and that EU would hopefully agree on a common position on the issue of Europe’s defense The Gymnich meeting comprised for the first time of foreign ministers of both the 15 present and 10 future EU countries.