List of the Presidencies of the Council of Western Union (WU) and the Council of Western European Union (WEU).

Diagram showing the rotating Presidencies of the Council of Western European Union (WEU) and of the Council of the European Union (EU) from 1999 to 2012. In accordance with the Protocol on Article 17 of the EU Treaty, annexed to the EU Treaty by the 1997 Treaty of Amsterdam, the WEU Council, meeting in Erfurt on 18 November 1997, approves the harmonisation of the sequence of Presidencies of the WEU and EU Councils. Since 1 January 1999, when the Presidency of the EU Council is held by a full Member State of WEU, this country also holds the Presidency of the WEU Council.

On 11 March 1948, the Secretary General of the Luxembourg Foreign Ministry sends a note to his Minister on the establishment of the Consultative Council provided for by the draft Treaty establishing Western Union.

On 17 April 1948, the Permanent Commission of Western Union publishes a communiqué on the organisation of the Consultative Council.

On 7 and 11 May 1955, the first session of the Council of Western European Union (WEU) is held in Paris, attended by the delegations of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

On 7 May 1955, the Council of Western European Union (WEU) holds its first meeting in Paris, with, in particular, the Belgian delegation represented by the Belgian Foreign Minister, Paul-Henri Spaak (second from the right), and the United Kingdom delegation represented by the British Foreign Secretary, Harold Macmillan (on the left, with arms raised), who chairs the meeting.

On 7 and 11 May 1955, the first Council of Foreign Ministers of the Member States of Western European Union (WEU) is held in Paris. Simultaneously, the North Atlantic Council meets in ministerial session at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris to give official recognition to the Federal Republic of Germany’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

On 22 October 1955, the Council of Western European Union (WEU) submits the first annual report to the WEU Assembly on the Council’s activities from 1 June to 15 October 1955.

The Council of Western European Union (WEU) submits to the WEU Assembly a supplement to the first annual report on the Council’s activities, for the period from 15 October 1955 to 1 February 1956.

The Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) meets at the Quai d'Orsay on 10 December 1956, on the eve of the meeting of the North Atlantic Council. From left to right, during the meeting in the Clock Room: Christian Pineau (France), Paul-Henri Spaak (Belgium), Walter Hallstein (German State Secretary for Foreign Affairs) and Heinrich von Brentano (Federal Republic of Germany) and, in the chairman's seat, Joseph Luns (Netherlands).

In this interview, Willem van Eekelen, Netherlands diplomat in London from 1960 to 1964, describes his experience of the meetings of the Permanent Council of Western European Union (WEU), in which he was able to participate in the British capital.

On 12 March 1965, the French daily newspaper Le Monde reports on the various points addressed in Rome at the meeting of the Council of Western European Union (WEU) and emphasises the constructive spirit in which the debates were held.

On 29 April 1988, at the meeting of the Foreign and Defence Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) in Venice, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort speculates on the progress made by WEU to revive the organisation since the October 1984 session in Rome.

With Spain holding the Presidency of the Council of Western European Union (WEU) in the second semester of 1995, at the same time as it holds that of the Council of the European Union (EU), Javier Solana, Spanish Foreign Minister from 1992 to 1995, outlines in this article, published on 31 October 1995 in the daily newspaper El País, his country’s priorities concerning WEU’s role as the defence component of the EU.

On 18 November 1997 in Erfurt, following the signing of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) emphasises the importance of reinforcing the institutional links between the European Union (EU) and WEU, by means of enhanced practical cooperation between the two organisations. The Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Defence also approve the decision to harmonise the sequence of presidencies of the WEU and EU Councils.

On 18 November 1997, shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of Western European Union (WEU), meeting in Erfurt as the WEU Council, emphasise the importance of establishing closer institutional links between the European Union (EU) and WEU, which in turn would require the strengthening of practical cooperation between the two organisations.

General view of a meeting of the Western European Union Council of Ministers held in May 1999 in Bremen. From 1984 onwards, the WEU Council of Ministers (Foreign and Defence Ministers) holds two ordinary meetings a year.

General view of the meeting of the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) in Luxembourg on 23 November 1999.

View of the meeting room of the Permanent Council of Western European Union (WEU) in Brussels. The Permanent Council meets every Tuesday, the day before the meeting of the North Atlantic Council, and is chaired by the WEU Secretary-General.

In this interview, Charles Goerens, Luxembourg Minister for Defence from 1999 to 2004, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, describes the contacts between the WEU Assembly and the WEU Council, in particular since the Council has not met at ministerial level following the decision taken in 2000 to transfer powers to the European Union.

Le 19 janvier 1955, Louis Goffin, secrétaire général de l'Union de l'Europe occidentale (UEO), publie une note sur l'organisation de l'Assemblée, notamment sur ses compétences, ses dispositions budgétaires, ses liaisons avec les autres assemblées parlementaires européennes ainsi que sur la date de sa première session.

Note from the Interim Commission of Western European Union (WEU), dated 15 April 1955, on the issues surrounding the establishment and organisation of the WEU Assembly.

On 5 and 8 July 1955, in Strasbourg, the first sitting of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) is held in the Hemicycle of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, attended by the delegations of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

On 5 and 8 July 1955, in Strasbourg, the first session of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) is held in the Hemicycle of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, attended by the delegations of Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

On 5 July 1955, Paul-Henri Spaak, Belgian Foreign Minister and President of the Council of Western European Union (WEU), gives an address at the first session of the Assembly of WEU.

Charte et règlement de l'Assemblée de l’Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO), adoptés le 24 octobre 1955 à Strasbourg.

On 21 September 1956, at a luncheon offered by the French Diplomatic Press Association, John Maclay, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), describes the role and mode of operation of his institution.

On 26 December 1958, the federalist journal Le XXe siècle gives a mixed assessment of the work of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and expresses concern at the large number of international organisations in Europe.

On 12 March 1965, the French daily newspaper Le Monde reports on the climate of disillusionment which prevailed during the debates on European defence issues held in the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU).

On 17 December 1965, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir publishes an interview with Francis Humblet, Clerk of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and of the Belgian Senate, in which he describes the lessons he has drawn from the activities of the WEU Assembly.

On 4 December 1985, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro describes the concern of Jean-Marie Caro, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), at the failure of Western governments to act on defence issues.

On 6 June 1986, as Jean-Marie Caro is re-elected President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), the French daily newspaper Le Figaro emphasises the determination of the Assembly’s members to arouse Europe from its inactivity, and reports on the forceful words of Jean-Marie Caro to Europe’s leaders, who he believes are against any joint decisions within the framework of WEU.

In this interview, Charles Goerens, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, emphasises the role of the Assembly concerning the question of disarmament in Europe in the context of the Euromissiles issue in the 1980s.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), particularly looks at WEU’s powers before the fall of Communism, emphasising the prevailing global bipolarity of the time and the increasing complexity of conflicts following the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

In this interview, Willem Frederik van Eekelen, Netherlands State Secretary for Defence from 1982 to 1986 and Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 1989 to 1994, considers the motives and role of the WEU Assembly, particularly after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.

On 11 July 1990, in an article in the French daily newspaper Le Monde, Robert Pontillon, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), describes the role that WEU can play in the future establishment of a Europe of defence.

Study trip made by the Defence Committee of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) in July 1991 to observe manoeuvres performed by the Finnish armed forces.

On 22 October 1999, the Swiss daily newspaper Neue Züricher Zeitung reports on the criticism levelled by the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) against the joint defence plan drawn up by the Heads of State or Government of the European Union.

On 20 October 1999, following a special session of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) held in Luxembourg on the theme of ‘Security and defence: the challenge for Europe after Cologne’, the Luxembourg daily newspaper Tageblatt publishes an interview with Lluis Maria de Puig, President of the WEU Assembly.

On 26 January 2000, the daily newspaper Luxemburger Wort publishes an interview with Klaus Bühler, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), in which he answers questions about the future missions of WEU and the future of its Parliamentary Assembly.

On 21 March 2000, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) decides to become an interim European Security and Defence Assembly responsible for monitoring the development of the Common European Security and Defence Policy (CESDP) within the European Union.

On 7 June 2000, in connection with the transfer of the operational activities of Western European Union (WEU) to the European Union (EU), the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung speculates on the future of the WEU Assembly.

On 27 July 2000, reflecting on the question of the future of Western European Union (WEU), the German daily newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung emphasises the efforts made by Klaus Bühler, President of the WEU Assembly, to uphold the Assembly’s position as a body exercising democratic control over decisions taken in the field of defence.

On 14 December 2001, the German journal Das Parlament, published by the Bundestag, profiles Klaus Bühler, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), and describes his battle to save the prerogatives of ‘his’ assembly.

In June 2003, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), also acting as an interim European Security and Defence Assembly since the transfer of WEU's operational activities to the European Union in 2000, adopts the name interparliamentary European Security and Defence Assembly following the entry into force of the Treaty of Nice on 1 February 2003.

The Luxembourg daily newspaper Lëtzebuerger Journal reports on the visit to Luxembourg by Marcel Glesener, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), on 15 September 2003. The article outlines the origins and aims of WEU, as well as the composition and the tasks of its Assembly, before considering Marcel Glesener’s arguments in favour of strengthening the role of the institution over which he presides.

The Luxembourg daily newspaper La Voix du Luxembourg publishes an article on the occasion of the visit to Luxembourg by Marcel Glesener, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), on 15 September 2003. At a time when the European Union is aspiring to conduct its own defence policy, Marcel Glesener fights for the survival of the institution over which he presides.

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. Stef Goris, President of the WEU Assembly, takes the opportunity to present the book published by his institution, entitled The European defence debate 1955–2005.

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. In his address, Stef Goris, President of the WEU Assembly, emphasises the important role played by Paul-Henri Spaak and the Assembly of the Council of Europe in the establishment of WEU, as well as the complementary nature of the two Assemblies in building and consolidating democracy in Europe.

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. In his address, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), emphasises the links between WEU and NATO and the common aims guiding the two organisations, particularly the promotion of democracy. The Secretary General also stresses that it is important to raise public awareness of security and defence issues if these aims are to be achieved.

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. For this occasion, seven former Presidents of the WEU Assembly give their views on the developments in global security and peace: Jean-Marie Caro (1984–1987), Charles Goerens (1987–1990), Hartmut Soell (1992–1993), Sir Dudley Smith (1993–1996), Lluís Maria de Puig (1997–1999), Klaus Bühler (2000–2002) and Jan Dirk Blaauw (2003).

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. In his address, Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, describes the very different tasks and statutes of the two parliamentary institutions, while emphasising the common objective of perpetuating democracy.

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. In his address, Marcel Glesener, head of the Federated Group of Christian Democrats and European Democrats in the WEU Assembly, emphasises his group’s belief in the Assembly’s essential role for the democratic legitimacy of the decisions taken by the European Union (EU) in security and defence matters. He also criticises the fact that, in these areas inherited from WEU, the Assembly is excluded from the processes of consultation, information and dialogue with the EU executive.

On 23 June 2005, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) celebrates its 50th anniversary in Strasbourg, at the Assembly of the Council of Europe, whose premises were shared by the WEU Assembly from 1955 to 1959. In his address, Jean-Pierre Masseret, head of the Socialist Group in the WEU Assembly, identifies defence as a ‘pillar’ of European integration, and sees peace and security as vectors for economic, social and cultural progress. He also emphasises the essential role of the Assembly as a democratic institution for the representation of citizens.

In this interview, Gaston Thorn, former Member of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe and of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), refers to the role of these deliberative assemblies in the development of a European spirit and of an awareness of the political, economic and military implications of a united Europe.

Every six months, the members of the committees of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) meet the Ambassadors of the WEU Permanent Council, who are also members of the Political and Security Committee of the European Union (EU). These joint meetings enable an information and consultation mechanism to be established between members of the WEU Assembly and EU diplomats in the field of foreign affairs, security and defence.

Fact-finding mission to Chad on 14 and 15 January 2009 carried out by the Defence Committee of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU).

In this interview, Charles Goerens, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, describes the role of this institution and its main powers.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), discusses the decision taken in 2000 to transfer a number of WEU’s bodies and powers to the European Union’s European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP), and regrets the absences of an overall European Defence.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), emphasises the de facto role played by the WEU Assembly in the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) pursued by the European Union.

In this interview, Charles Goerens, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1987 to 1990, describes the President’s role, both within the Assembly and also vis-à-vis the WEU Council and Secretary-General.

In this interview, Charles Goerens, Luxembourg Minister for Defence from 1999 to 2004, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, describes the relations between the WEU Assembly and the WEU Council after the 1984 revitalisation of WEU, citing the example of the contacts established at the time with the Soviet authorities.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), regrets that the question of relations between the Assembly and the Council was not addressed at the final meeting of the WEU Council of Ministers held in Marseille on 13 November 2000.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), explains how the Assembly tries to adapt to the budget restrictions imposed by the Council.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), describes the WEU Assembly as emanating from the national parliaments, emphasising its distinct yet complementary role alongside that of the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), explains that the Assembly's role as an interparliamentary forum depends on the respective ambitions of each Assembly member.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), mentions the main tasks of the Deputy Secretary-General and Secretary-General of the WEU Assembly, in particular vis-à-vis the President of the Assembly, and emphasises the task of budget management.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), discusses the advantages afforded by the study of war for the adoption of specific measures, for example during the Iran–Iraq conflict, the Gulf War, and the events of Tiananmen.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), recalls the reasons for the decision taken in 2008 to change the name of the WEU Assembly to the European Security and Defence Assembly.

Charte et règlement de l’Assemblée européenne de sécurité et de défense/Assemblée de l’Union de l’Europe occidentale (UEO), adoptés par la commission permanente de l’Assemblée le 6 mai 2008 et révisés le 1^er décembre 2009.

View of the hemicycle at the Iéna Palace, Paris, during a sitting of the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU).

List of the delegations to the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU): Members, Associate Members, Partners and Observers.

The logo of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU)/European Security and Defence Assembly.

In this interview excerpt, Álvaro de Vasconcelos, co-founder and Director of the Institute for Strategic and International Studies (IEEI) in Lisbon from 1981 to 2007 and Director of the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) from 2007 to 2012, discusses the role played by the Assembly of Western European Union in the European defence debate.

List of the Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) since 1955.

John Maclay, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1955 to 1957.

James Hutchison, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1957 to 1959.

Vittorino Badini Confalonieri, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1959 to 1961 and again from 1966 to 1969.

Arthur Conte, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1961 to 1963.

Carol Schmid, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1963 to 1966.

Georges Housiaux, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1969 to 1972.

John Peel, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1972 to 1974.

Edmond Nessler, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1974 to 1977.

Kai-Uwe von Hassel, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1977 to 1980.

Fred Mulley, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1980 to 1983.

Alfredo De Poi, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1983 to 1984.

Lucien Pignion, Acting President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) in 1984.

Jean-Marie Caro, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1984 to 1987.

Charles Goerens, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1987 to 1990.

Robert Pontillon, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1990 to 1992.

Guiseppe Sinesio, Acting President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) in 1992.

Hartmut Soell, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1992 to 1993.

Dudley Smith, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1993 to 1996.

Lluís Maria de Puig, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1997 to 1999.

Klaus Bühler, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 2000 to 2002.

Jan Dirk Blaauw, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) in 2003.

Marcel Glesener, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) in 2003 and again in 2004.

Armand De Decker, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 2 December 2003 to 19 July 2004.

Stef Goris, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 1 December 2004 to 7 December 2005.

Jean-Pierre Masseret, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) from 7 December 2005 to 3 December 2008.

Robert Walter, President of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) since 3 December 2008.

List of the Secretaries-General of Western Union (WU), since 1948, and of Western European Union (WEU), since 1955.

Meeting of the Secretariat-General of the Brussels Treaty Organisation (Western Union) in 1949. From left to right: Adolphe de Baerdemaker (Military Affairs), Janet Howe (Cultural Affairs), Emmanuel d’Harcourt, Deputy Secretary-General, and Eduard Star Busmann, Secretary-General from April 1948 to June 1953.

Louis Goffin, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 7 May 1955 to 14 December 1962.

Maurice Iweins d’Eeckhoutte, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 15 December 1962 to 31 December 1970.

Georges Heisbourg, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 1 January 1971 to 30 September 1974.

Friedrich-Karl von Plehwe, Secretary-General Delegate of Western European Union (WEU) from 5 November 1967 to 30 November 1977, and Acting Secretary-General from 2 October 1974 to 24 February 1977.

Edouard Longerstaey, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 1 March 1977 to 31 May 1985.

Alfred Cahen, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 17 June 1985 to 11 May 1989.

Willem Frederik van Eekelen, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 15 May 1989 to 15 November 1994.

José Cutileiro, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 16 November 1994 to 23 November 1999.

Javier Solana, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 24 November 1999 to 24 November 2009. His appointment came within the context of the transfer of some of WEU's bodies and responsibilities to the European Union (EU). From 18 October 1999 to 30 November 2009, he also held the post of Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Arnaud Jacomet, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) since 25 November 2009.

On 16 December 1987, Alfred Cahen, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU), sends a letter to Charles Goerens, President of the WEU Assembly, in which he outlines the activities of the Secretariat-General in the area of public relations. He would particularly like to attach greater importance to keeping the press and public informed.

On 22 November 1999, the German daily newspaper Die Welt publishes an article about Javier Solana, future Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU), and describes his tasks as Secretary-General of the Council of the European Union/High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

In this interview, Willem van Eekelen, Netherlands Minister for Defence from 1986 to 1988 and Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU) from 1989 to 1994, gives his views on the WEU Secretary-General’s powers and his relations both with the State holding the Presidency of the Council and with the President and Secretary-General of the Assembly.

In this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), discusses the drop in attendance at the WEU Assembly by Javier Solana, WEU Secretary-General, for various reasons.