[ARTICLE 28D ]

COMMON FOREIGN A= ND SECURITY POLICY:

THE EUROPEAN DEFENCE AGENCY IS OFFICIAL AND STRENGTHENED,=

EU FOREIGN MINISTER WILL TAKE PART CONTROL

[ARTICLE 28D]

AMENDMENT TO: Treaty of Lisbon amending the Treaty on European Union and t= he Treaty establishing the European Community (Lisbon, 13 December 2007)<= /span>

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Policy Area:

Treaty= on European Union, Title V, provisions on Common Foreign and Security Policy, Chapter 2, Specific provisions on the common foreign and security policy, section 2, provisions on the Common security and defence policy

Amendment:

Clause 2<= /span>, page 1, line 12, after ‘excluding’, insert—

‘(i) Article 1, paragr= aphs 48 to 53, inserted Section 2 and Articles 28A to 28E TEU relating to the Co= mmon Security and Defence Policy; and

(ii)’.

Amendment:

Clause 2, page 1<= /span>, line 12, leave out ‘any’ and insert—<= /o:p>

‘(i) Article 1, paragr= aph 25, headings relating to the Common Foreign and Security Policy; and=

(ii) any other’.=

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<= st1:City w:st=3D"on">Lisb= on Treaty Article:

ARTICL= E 28 D

1. The European Defence Agency referred to in Article 28 A(3), subject to the authority of the Council, shall ha= ve as its task to:

(a) contribute to identifying the Member States' military capability objectives and evaluating observance of the capability commitmen= ts given by the Member States;

(b) promote harmonisation of operational needs and adoptio= n of effective, compatible procurement methods;

(c) propose multilateral projects to fulfil the objectives= in terms of military capabilities, ensure coordination of the programmes implemented by the Member= States and manageme= nt of specific cooperation programmes;

(d) support defence technology research, and coordinate an= d plan joint research activities and the study of technical solutions meeting futu= re operational needs;

(e) contribute to identifying and, if necessary, implement= ing any useful measure for strengthening the industrial and technological base = of the defence sector and for improving the effectiveness of military expendit= ure.

2. The European Defence Agency shall be open to all Member States wishing to be pa= rt of it.

The Co= uncil, acting by a qualified majority, shall adopt a decision defining the Agency'= s statute, seat and operational rules. That decision should take account of the level = of effective participation in the Agency's activities. Specific groups shall be set up within the Agency bringing together Member States engaged in joint projects. The Agency shall carry out its tasks in liaison with the Commissi= on where necessary.

Consolidated Treaty Article(s):

n/a

Explanation:

This is a new Article provision. The European Defence Agency was established, in July 2004, under a Joint Action of the Council "to support the Member States and the Council in their effort to improve European defence capabilities in the field of crisis management and= to sustain the European Security and Defence Policy= as it stands now and develops in the future”. The EDA facilitates further integration in the area of defence. Currently, the European defence is part of the ESDP but is not legitimised under a Treaty obligation. The Lisbon Treaty confirms the existence of the European defence agency aimed at developing a European arms policy and to co-ordinating work= to equip the various national armed forces. <= /o:p>

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This A= rticle sets out the remit of the EDA, and its objectiv= es have been broadened. The Council acts by Qualified Majority Voting before decidi= ng on measures concerning th= e Ag= ency such as the agency statute, seat and operational rules. Obviously, t= he High Representative will be involved in the Agency’s activities, sinc= e as a member of the Commission, the Lisbon Treaty states that “the Agency= shall carry out its tasks in liaison with the Commission where necessary.” = This amounts to an oppressive interference of the Commission on the Member State= s’ businesses.