First Joint Meeting of Foreign Ministers and Defense Ministers at European Council Level

Within the framework of the General Affairs Council, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense Ministers are meeting jointly for the first time.
Among other topics on the agenda, one of the points discussed concerning European security and defense policy was the preparation for the Helsinki European Council (10-11 December 1999). Specifically, “The General Affairs ‘Council’, with the participation of Defense Ministers, discussed the follow-up to the Cologne conclusions regarding the strengthening of the European Security and Defense Policy, in order to provide guidance to the Presidency for the preparation of the progress report for the Helsinki European Council. The work covered both military and non-military aspects of crisis management. The Presidency will submit to the Helsinki European Council two reports that are complementary and mutually reinforcing, emphasizing both the Union’s ability to use the full range of political, economic, humanitarian and military means and its determination to enhance the effectiveness of these means”.
Another point discussed related to European security and defense policy concerned the area of armaments. Specifically, “The Council noted the work carried out in the field of European armaments policy. It emphasized the importance of cooperation in this area, in the context of strengthening the Common European Security and Defense Policy, and asked its competent bodies to continue their work, including on the possibility of defining a common position based on future developments in the field of Common European Security and Defense Policy”.
Additionally, one of the points approved without discussion concerned the appointment of Javier Solana as Secretary General of the Western European Union (WEU). More specifically, “The Council, taking into account Opinion No. 6/99 of the Political Committee of 8 November 1999, decided that Mr. Javier SOLANA MADARIAGA, Secretary-General/High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy of the Council of the European Union, may accept the position and perform the duties of Secretary-General of the WEU in addition to his duties as Secretary-General/High Representative. It should be noted that Mr. Javier SOLANA is expected to be appointed soon as Secretary-General of the WEU and will take up his duties on 25 November 1999, following the end of the term of the current Secretary-General, Mr. José CUTILEIRO”
The WEU (along with NATO) was the main guarantor of European security after the Second World War. In 2000, the WEU agreed to gradually transfer its capabilities and duties to the common security and defense policy. Eventually, the WEU ceased to exist in June 2011.