Don't worry, America These concerns, however, should not keep the United States from supporting a development from which it will benefit. It is important to keep ESDI in the proper perspective. Europeans are attempting to add heft to their foreign and security policy, but they are not creating their own army. Instead of a force that will defend European territory from direct attack, they are contemplating an entity that will be able to engage in peacekeeping, peacemaking, humanitarian and rescue tasks. At a historic meeting last year in St. Malo, the British agreed to participate in European defense efforts, on the condition that they will not duplicate the capabilities of or compete with the alliance that has guaranteed their security since 1949.
British leaders take every opportunity to denote the importance of the transatlantic relationship.
Their involvement in the new European initiative, which indeed will make it possible for European defense to get off the ground, ensures that the United States will remain an active player in Europe. If British participation were not enough to reassure the United States that NATO will remain essential, European leaders have reinforced this message by asking Solana to be the first High Representative to coordinate foreign and security policy. No one could be better qualified to ensure that the new European entity does not step on NATO's toes. Even more than these factors, a shared community of values should keep ESDI from causing onerous problems for American foreign policy. Europe is made up of democracies with strong traditions of respect for human rights and the rule of law, and it is in their interest to use their defense capability to promote stability and peace.