The Cologne Declaration on strengthening the common European policy on security and defence will now also give the EU an effective military role. As new structures and capabilities are set up within the EU, all WEU's crisis management functions will be taken over by the Union. This development will add a new facet to the EU's efforts for dialogue, cooperation and security pursued on through the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and currently through the Barcelona Process. Discussions on the Euro-Mediterranean Charter have so far resulted in defining what should be a concise instrument of partnership focusing on political and security issues. As a functional tool for the implementation of the principles of the Barcelona Declaration, such a Charter will contribute to improving conditions for the settlement of conflicts.
Preventive diplomacy is to be strengthened through partnership-building measures.
Arrangements for conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict rehabilitation are in this respect indispensable. Synergies with international organisations are to be explored. The WEU remains ready, so long as the EU has not absorbed our functions, to support EU objectives in this field both with practical contributions and with its expertise. In this context, the WEU Mediterranean Group has carried out a reflection, in anticipation of possible EU requests, given thought to a WEU contribution to this process. Indeed the work and activities of the Group have paved the way for such an input since WEU's dialogue encompasses all security aspects mentioned in the Barcelona Declaration.