The regeneration of Western European Union
Changes to WEU's structures
The Member States of WEU
TableList of Member States, Associate Members, Observers and Associate Partners of Western European Union (WEU).
The members of WU and WEU (1948-2011)
MapMap showing accessions to Western Union (WU) and Western European Union (WEU) and the status of the members.
Secretaries-General of WU and WEU
TableList of the Secretaries-General of Western Union (WU), since 1948, and of Western European Union (WEU), since 1955.
Presidents of the WEU Assembly
TableList of the Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) since 1955.
Interview with Willem van Eekelen: the proposals of France and Belgium for the reactivation of WEU (The Hague, 1 October 2009)
VideoIn this interview, Willem Frederik van Eekelen, Netherlands State Secretary for Defence from 1982 to 1986, discusses the origins of the French and Belgian proposals made in 1984 for the reactivation of Western European Union (WEU), which he believes stem from the 1981 ‘Genscher-Colombo initiative’.
‘Removing obstacles to the building of Europe' from Le Monde< /ita> (23 December 1983)
TextIn an article in the French daily newspaper Le Monde on 23 December 1983, Leo Tindemans, Belgian Minister for External Relations, speculates on the future of the process of European cooperation, in particular in the field of defence and security, and moots the idea of a reactivation of Western European Union (WEU).
Report from the WEU Council of Ministers on the reactivation of the organisation (Paris, 12 June 1984)
TextOn 12 June 1984, the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) publishes a document by the WEU Council of Ministers on the reactivation of the organisation.
Address given by Hans-Dietrich Genscher to the WEU Assembly (Paris, 20 June 1984)
TextOn 20 June 1984, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, German Foreign Minister and President-in-Office of the Council of Western European Union (WEU), submits the Council’s Annual Report for 1983 to the WEU Assembly. During his address, he outlines the arguments in favour of the reactivation of WEU, the only European organisation which is authorised, under its treaty, to deal with defence and security matters.
Giuseppe Walter Maccotta, Western European Union and European defence (2 October 1984)
TextIn an article published on 2 October 1984 in the Rome-based journal Lettera diplomatica, Italian diplomat Giuseppe Walter Maccotta gives a description of Western European Union (WEU) and identifies the main issues surrounding the forthcoming meeting of the Council of Ministers, due to take place in Rome with the aim of relaunching the organisation.
Declaration by the WEU Foreign and Defence Ministers (Rome, 27 October 1984)
TextAt an extraordinary session held in Rome on 26 and 27 October 1984 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Modified Brussels Treaty, the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU), composed of the Foreign and Defence Ministers, decides to make better use of WEU to increase cooperation between the Member States in the field of security policy. The ‘Rome Declaration’ sparks the revival of WEU.
Document on institutional reform of WEU (Rome, 26 and 27 October 1984)
TextAt an extraordinary session held in Rome on 26 and 27 October 1984 to mark the 30th anniversary of the Modified Brussels Treaty, the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU), composed of the Foreign and Defence Ministers, decides to make fuller use of the institutions of WEU and, to this end, to bring the existing institutions into line with the organisation’s new tasks.
Interview with Charles Goerens (Sanem, 28 September 2009) — Excerpt: the consequences of the revitalisation of WEU in 1984
VideoIn this interview, Charles Goerens, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, discusses the development of the powers of WEU and its Assembly following the reactivation of the organisation by the Rome Declaration in 1984.
Interview with Charles Goerens (Sanem, 28 September 2009) — Excerpt: the contribution made by WEU towards the establishment of a European defence and security policy from 1984 onwards
VideoIn this interview, Charles Goerens, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, identifies the Brussels Treaty as the main asset for the establishment of a European defence and security policy from 1984 onwards.
Interview with Willem van Eekelen: the institutional reforms of WEU (The Hague, 1 October 2009)
VideoIn this interview, Willem Frederik van Eekelen, Netherlands State Secretary for Defence from 1982 to 1986, describes the main contributions of the declaration of the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU), meeting in Rome on 26 and 27 October 1984, which aimed to reactivate WEU.
Address given by Leo Tindemans on the role of WEU (Paris, 3 June 1986)
TextOn 3 June 1986, in Paris, Leo Tindemans, Belgian Foreign Minister, gives an address to the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) on the objectives of WEU’s revival. In particular, he advocates a reactivation which respects the interests of the Atlantic Alliance and the European Community.
‘Alfred Cahen: A new role for WEU?’ from L’Europe en formation (1986)
TextIn 1986, Alfred Cahen, Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU), publishes an article in the federalist journal L’Europe en formation in which he sets out the various stages of the reactivation of WEU and speculates on the organisation’s new role.
Platform on European Security Interests (The Hague, 27 October 1987)
TextOn 27 October 1987 in The Hague, given the development of East–West relations, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the Member States of Western European Union (WEU) adopt a ‘Platform on European Security Interests’. By emphasising the essential nature of Western Europe’s contribution to the balance of conventional and nuclear forces in a Europe which remains divided, they confirm their determination to strengthen the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance and to develop a European identity in defence matters.
'Europe and its security' from Le Soir (28 October 1987)
TextOn 28 October 1987, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir considers the scope of the ‘Platform on European Security Interests’ text, adopted the previous day in The Hague by the Foreign and Defence Ministers of Western European Union (WEU). The article emphasises the benefits of this initiative, taken with the aim of reviving the organisation and defining a European defence identity.
‘The WEU has built a "platform": We must wait for the rest' from Europe (30 October 1987)
TextOn 30 October 1987, Emanuele Gazzo, Chief Editor of Agence Europe, comments on the establishment of a ‘Platform on European Security Interests’ by Western European Union (WEU) on 27 October and speculates on the actual powers of WEU.
Address given by Leo Tindemans (Brussels, 12 November 1987)
TextOn 12 November 1987, in Brussels, Leo Tindemans, Belgian Foreign Minister, comments on the establishment, on 27 October 1987 in The Hague, of a ‘Platform on European Security Interests’.
Interview with Charles Goerens (Sanem, 28 September 2009) — Excerpt: the 1987 Hague Platform
VideoIn this interview, Charles Goerens, former member of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) and its President from 1987 to 1990, emphasises the importance of the ‘Platform on European Security Interests’ adopted by the WEU Council of Ministers meeting in The Hague on 27 October 1987, regarding a possible transfer of security and defence questions to the framework of European Political Cooperation pursued by the Member States of the European Communities.
WEU's role and place in the new European security architecture (Paris, 22 February 1991)
TextThe Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU), meeting in extraordinary session in Paris on 22 February 1991, used the reflection note proposed by the organisation’s Secretary-General, Willem van Eekelen, to debate the role and place of WEU in the new European security architecture.
Interview with Willem van Eekelen: WEU and The Future of European Security and Defence Cooperation (The Hague, 1 October 2009)
VideoIn 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, explains how the discussion paper that he submitted to the WEU Council of Ministers on 22 February 1991, entitled The Future of European Security and Defence Cooperation, which focused on WEU’s role in the new European security architecture, contributed to preparations for the intergovernmental conference that would lead to the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992.
Changes to WEU's structures
Observations made by Roland Dumas to the Council of WEU (Bonn, 29 October 1991)
TextOn 29 October 1991, at a meeting of the Council of Western European Union (WEU) in Bonn, Roland Dumas, French Foreign Minister, identifies the fundamental points of agreement reached on the role and place of WEU in the light of the forthcoming Maastricht European Council.
Address given by Helmut Kohl on the importance of WEU for the common security policy (Bonn, 27 January 1992)
TextOn 27 January 1992, in Bonn, at a meeting of the Chiefs of the General Staff of the Member States of Western European Union (WEU), the German Chancellor, Helmut Kohl, outlines the main decisions taken at the Rome Summit of the Atlantic Alliance and the Maastricht European Council. He places particular emphasis on WEU's role as a defence component of the European Union and as a bridge between the European Union and the Atlantic Alliance.
EU Treaty — Article J.4 (Maastricht, 7 February 1992)
TextArticle J.4 of the Treaty on European Union, signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992.
EU Treaty — Declaration (No 30) on WEU (Maastricht, 7 February 1992)
TextThe Treaty on European Union, which entered into force on 1 November 1993, strengthens the role of Western European Union (WEU), defining it as an ‘integral part of the development of the European Union’ while preserving its institutional autonomy. Accordingly, WEU is given the task of drawing up and implementing decisions and actions which have defence implications.
‘The WEU and the implementation of the future EU common defence' from the Revue du Marché commun et de l'Union européenne (January 1996)
TextIn January 1996, in the Revue du Marché commun et de l’Union européenne, Alfred Cahen, Belgian Ambassador in Paris and former Secretary-General of Western European Union (WEU), outlines the background of WEU and clarifies its role in the implementation of the European Union common defence.
Paris Declaration made by the WEU Council of Ministers (13 May 1997)
TextOn 13 May 1997, in Paris, the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) reaffirms the essential role of WEU in the European security architecture.
Meeting of the WEU Council of Ministers (Paris, 13 May 1997)
ImageOn 12 and 13 May 1997, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the Member States of Western European Union (WEU) meet, during the French Presidency, in UNESCO House, Paris, for their biannual session, following which they decide to strengthen WEU's cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU).
EU Treaty amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam — Article 17 (2 October 1997)
TextArticle 17 of the Treaty on European Union (EU) as amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam signed on 2 October 1997. Article 17 corresponds, in the intermediate numbering of the Treaty of Amsterdam, to Article J.7 of the EU Treaty (ex Article J.4).
EU Treaty amended by the Treaty of Amsterdam — Protocol on Article 17 of the EU Treaty (2 October 1997)
TextProtocol on Article 17 of the Treaty on European Union (EU), annexed to the EU Treaty by the Treaty of Amsterdam. Article 17 corresponds, in the intermediate numbering of the Treaty of Amsterdam, to Article J.7 of the EU Treaty (ex Article J.4).
Treaty of Amsterdam — Declaration (No 3) relating to WEU (2 October 1997)
TextIn the Declaration (No 3) annexed to the Final Act of the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Intergovernmental Conference notes the Declaration made by the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) on 22 July 1997 on the role of WEU and its relations with the European Union (EU) and the Atlantic Alliance. The latter Declaration refers particularly to Article 17 of the Treaty on EU (ex Article J.7) and the Protocol to this Article.
‘Fifty years of WEU. What now?’ from Le Figaro (17 March 1998)
TextOn 17 March 1998, commenting on the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Brussels, the French daily newspaper Le Figaro considers the future of Western European Union (WEU).
Conclusions of the Vienna European Council: extract on preparations for the implementation of the Amsterdam Treaty (11 and 12 December 1998)
TextMeeting in Vienna on 11 and 12 December 1998, the European Council believes, following the example of the Franco-British St. Malo Declaration, that the common foreign and security policy must be backed by credible operational capabilities in order for the European Union (EU) to have a strong presence on the international stage. The European Council invites the Council to bring forward, in agreement with Western European Union (WEU), the completion of arrangements for enhanced cooperation between the EU and WEU.
WEU's new operational missions
WEU operations in the Persian Gulf (1987–1991)
MapMap showing the operations conducted by Western European Union (WEU) in Iraq and the Persian Gulf between 1987 and 1991 in the context of the Iran–Iraq War and the Gulf War.
WEU operations in the Balkans (1992–2001)
MapMap showing the operations led by Western European Union (WEU) from 1992 to 2001 in connection with the crises and conflicts in the Balkans.
Petersberg Declaration made by the WEU Council of Ministers (Bonn, 19 June 1992)
TextMeeting on 19 June 1992 in Bonn, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the member States of Western European Union (WEU) adopt the Petersberg Declaration which provides for the strengthening of WEU’s operational role and which determines its role in Europe’s security policy and the state of its relations with the other Member States of the European Union and NATO.
'Europe's military wing builds up its strength' from Le Soir (20 June 1992)
TextOn 20 June 1992, the Belgian daily newspaper Le Soir considers the measures adopted the previous day in Petersberg by the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the Member States of Western European Union (WEU). The article emphasises the operational role assigned to the organisation which, as the military arm of the European Union and European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance, is now responsible for leading crisis-management and peacekeeping missions.
'The metamorphosis of Western European Union' from Le Monde (23 June 1992)
TextOn 23 June 1992, the French daily newspaper Le Monde speculates on the new role of Western European Union (WEU) resulting from the new European defence identity provided for in the Treaty on European Union and outlines the steps taken by the nine WEU states to develop a common defence policy.
Interview with Colin Cameron (Paris, 23 September 2009) — Excerpt: WEU, the ‘defence arm’ of the European Union
VideoIn this interview, Colin Cameron, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Western European Union (WEU), discusses the consequences of the Treaty of Maastricht (Article J.4), which makes it possible for the European Union to have recourse to WEU for the development and implementation of EU decisions and actions having implications in the field of defence, thus giving WEU the role of defence arm of the EU.
Communiqué issued by the WEU Council of Ministers (Rome, 19 May 1993)
TextOn 19 May 1993, in Rome, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of the Member States of Western European Union (WEU), meeting as the WEU Council of Ministers, welcome the fact that all the Member States are currently deciding which of their military units and headquarters they are prepared to make available to WEU for various possible tasks. The Council particularly welcomes the designation of the European Corps (Eurocorps), the Multinational Division (Central) and the UK/Netherlands amphibious force as forces answerable to WEU.
Final Declaration of the WEU Council of Ministers (Luxembourg, 22 November 1993)
TextOn 22 November 1993, following the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty on 1 November 1993, the Council of Ministers of Western European Union (WEU) agrees to pursue the implementation of measures seeking to ensure close cooperation between the European Union and WEU, to strengthen Europe’s contribution to the Atlantic Alliance and to develop WEU’s operational capabilities.
The Eurocorps on parade (Paris, 14 July 1994)
ImageOn 14 July 1994, the Eurocorps takes part in the military parade along the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The Eurocorps was established on 22 May 1992 at the Franco-German Summit in La Rochelle, and was subsequently opened up to include other countries: Belgium (1993), Spain (1994) and Luxembourg (1996). The decision to include Eurocorps among the forces answerable to Western European Union (FAWEU) was confirmed at the meeting of the WEU Council of Ministers on 19 May 1993 in Rome.
Declaration made by the French, Italian and Spanish Foreign and Defence Ministers on the establishment of Eurofor (Lisbon, 15 May 1995)
TextDeclaration on the establishment of the European Operational Rapid Force (Eurofor), adopted on 15 May 1995 in Lisbon by the French, Italian and Spanish Foreign and Defence Ministers. This multinational ground force answerable to Western European Union (FAWEU) can also be deployed under the aegis of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in order to strengthen the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance. An agreement reached on the same day provides for the participation of Portugal in this force, which is open to WEU Member States, from the moment of its establishment.
Meeting of the Western European Union Council of Ministers (Lisbon, 15 May 1995)
ImageOn 15 May 1995, on the margins of the meeting of the Western European Union (WEU) Council of Ministers in Lisbon, the Foreign and Defence Ministers of France, Italy, Portugal and Spain decide to establish two multinational forces, a ground force (Eurofor) and a maritime force (Euromarfor), which are answerable to WEU but may also be employed in the work of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) in order to strengthen the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance.
The inauguration ceremony of Euromarfor (Palma de Mallorca, 23 April 1996)
ImageOn 23 April 1996, on the flight deck of the Spanish aircraft carrier ‘Principe de Asturias' in Palma de Mallorca, the inauguration ceremony of the multinational naval force Euromarfor, which consists of French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese naval forces, takes place.
Final Communiqué of the Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council on building a European Security and Defence Identity (Berlin, 3 June 1996
TextOn 3 June 1996, at its Ministerial Meeting in Berlin, the North Atlantic Council decides to adapt the Alliance’s structures so as to build a European Security and Defence Identity within NATO. In particular, the development of the concept of Combined Joint Task Forces (CJTF) should enable Europeans to make use of separable but not separate NATO military capabilities in Western European Union (WEU) operations.
WEU's new operational missions
Address given by Jacques Chirac on the development of WEU (Paris, 3 December 1996)
TextOn 3 December 1996, in Paris, Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, gives an address to the Parliamentary Assembly of Western European Union (WEU) in which he sets out the priorities of the French Presidency of WEU for the first half of 1997. He believes that WEU needs to acquire the operational capacities required, strengthen its institutional links with the European Union and engage in a process of reflection on its internal mode of operation.
Cologne European Council Declaration on the common policy on security and defence (4 June 1999)
TextIn its ‘Declaration on strengthening the common European policy on security and defence’, the Cologne European Council of 3 and 4 June 1999 agrees to transfer from Western European Union (WEU) to the European Union (EU) the responsibility of decision-making and the capacity for action in the area of the ‘Petersberg tasks’.