Treaty of Amsterdam

131

WEU will continue this work on the basis in particular of the Paris Declaration and taking account of the relevant elements of the decisions of WEU and NATO summits and ministerial meetings since Birmingham.It will focus on the following fields:

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definition of principles -for the use of armed forces of the WEU States for WEU Petersberg operations in pursuit of common European security interests;

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organisation of operational means for Petersberg tasks, such as generic and contingency planning and exercising, preparation and interoperability of forces, including through participation in the NATO defence planning process, as appropriate;

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strategic mobility on the basis of its current work;

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defence intelligence, through its Planning Cell, Situation Centre and Satellite Centre;

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WEU has adopted many measures to strengthen its operational role (Planning Cell, Situation Centre, Satellite Centre).The improvement of the functioning of the military components at WEU Headquarters and the establishment, under the Council's authority, of a military committee will represent a further enhancement of structures which are important for the successful preparation and conduct of WEU operations;

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with the aim of opening participation in all its operations to Associate Members and Observer States, WEU will also examine the necessary modalities to allow Associate Members and Observer States to participate fully in accordance with their status in all operations undertaken by WEU;

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WEU recalls that Associate Members take part on the same basis as full members in operations to which they contribute, as well as in relevant exercises and planning WEU will also examine the question of participation of the Observers as fully as possible in accordance with their status in planning and decision-taking within WEU in all operations to which they contribute;

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WEU will, in consultation where appropriate with the relevant bodies, examine the possibilities for maximum participation in its activities by Associate Members and Observer States in accordance with their status.It will address in particular activities in the fields of armaments, space and military studies;

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WEU will examine how to strengthen the Associate Partners' participation in an   increasing number of activities.