Berlin: Europe also must free itself from foreign-political fetters
BERLIN The ,,new conception of German foreign policy"announced by Federal Chancellor Schroeder, should likewise be put into effect in the EU. The EU has to bear ,,worldwide responsibility"and to use its ,,world-political potential"according to Schroeder. To this end its military potential, in particular, must be built up.
Schroeder demanded in a government declaration that the activities of the EU must be brought together to a conclusive (final) common, foreign security and strategic policy. Europe bore ,,worldwide responsibility"and must, like German foreign policy, be ready and capable of worldwide military operations. ,,I mean the securing of peace and the creation of security, not only on the continent of Europe and around the edges of the European Union".
Rearmament ,,The Path to World Power"
German pressure for the militarisation of EU foreign policy showed a clear effect. In a declaration of heads of state or of governments of the EU and of the President of the Commission it was announced that the EU would reinforce its ,,endeavours in other regions of the world"in order to foster a ,,just world-wide system of security". The Commissar for reform of the EU, Michel Barnier, demanded a ,,European will to power".
Sources:
Declaration of German Federal Government by Federal Chancellor Schroeder at the European Council of 18 October 2001, Ghent
Declaration of Heads of State or Government of the EU and of the President of the Commission. Measures to combat terrorism and measures following the terror attack of 11 September 2001 (SN 4296/2/01 REV2); Brussels 19 October 2001
Commissar demands European Will to Power; Financial Times Germany, 19 October 2001