B3-0145, 0146 and 0147/94

Resolution on NATO

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the conclusions of the North Atlantic Council of 10-11 January 1994,

-having regard to Article J of the Treaty on European Union establishing a common foreign and security policy,

-having regard to its resolution of 16 December 1993 on the NATO Summit on 10 and 11 January 1994,

A.recognizing the continuing need for Member States of the European Union to play their part in the Atlantic Alliance and in the WEU as a guarantee of the principle of collective security; welcoming, therefore, the emphasis on 'the close and growing cooperation between NATO and the WEU',

B.whereas the United States is prepared to station a considerable number of troops in Europe,

C.recalling that all Institutions of the European Union have emphasized that new initiatives have to be taken by the European Union and the other international organizations to guarantee lasting peace and stability in the whole of Europe,

D.aware of the sense of insecurity which pervades Central and Eastern Europe to a greater or lesser extent,

E.recalling that at its last meeting on 10 and 11 December 1993 the European Council launched an initiative for a Pact on Stability in Europe with the aim of contributing to stability by averting tension and potential conflicts, fostering neighbourly relations and encouraging countries to consolidate their borders and to resolve problems of national minorities,

F.believing that it is in the interest of all European and Western states to assist those committed to democracy and reform in Russia but insisting that Moscow has no rights over security in Central and Eastern Europe,

G.noting the decisions taken at the NATO Summit meeting for a renewal of NATO's policy to contribute to lasting peace, stability, and well-being in the whole of Europe, resulting in the launching of the initiative for a Partnership for Peace in which new partners are invited to cooperate with the Alliance's political and military activities,

1.Supports all efforts undertaken to contribute to lasting peace, stability and well-being in the whole of Europe and, in this context, to the reinforcement of economic and political structures in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe through the Europe Agreements;

2.Welcomes the Partnership for Peace as a step which, first and foremost, helps reinforce the security of the Central and East European countries which take part in it and, secondly, is fully in accord with the Paris Charter for a New Europe and with membership of the CSCE;

3.Considers it important that the Alliance wishes to step up its attempts to counter the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems;

4.Also considers it important that the Alliance should continue to support the indefinite and unconditional extension of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, the speedy implementation of the Convention on Chemical Weapons, a treaty introducing a total ban on nuclear tests, and the full and correct implementation of the Treaty on Conventional Forces in Europe;

5.Asks to be constantly informed and, where necessary, consulted on the European Union's contribution to this initiative for a Partnership for Peace, just as it expects to be informed and consulted on the European Union's initiative for a Pact on Stability in Europe;

6.Stresses that, for those countries which are not members of the Atlantic Alliance, joining the Partnership for Peace could be an important step in the evolutionary process of the expansion of NATO;

7.Expresses its satisfaction at the summit's support for the development of a European security and defence identity as a step towards a European defence policy, and perhaps a European defence, which would strengthen the European pillar of the Alliance;

8.Supports therefore the decisions taken at the NATO summit of 10-11 January 1994 to launch the initiative for a Partnership for Peace with the clear aim of fuller integration of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe into the political security and democratic structures of Europe;

9.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council, the governments of the member states of the CSCE, the Secretary-General of NATO and the Secretary-General of the WEU.