Joint Declaration on European Defence (St. Malo Declaration)

Saint-Malo, France - 4 December 1998

The Heads of State and Government of France and the United Kingdom are agreed that:

1. The European Union needs to be in a position to play its full role on the international stage.

2. To this end, the Union must have the capacity for autonomous action, backed up by credible military forces, the means to decide to use them, and a readiness to do so, in order to respond to international crises.

3. In pursuing this objective, the collective defence commitments to which member states subscribe (Article 5 of the Washington Treaty, Article V of the Brussels Treaty) must be maintained. In strengthening the solidarity between the member states of the European Union, so that Europe can make its voice heard in world affairs, the Union will contribute to the vitality of a renewed Atlantic Alliance.

4. The EU will need to have recourse to suitable military means (European capabilities pre-designated within NATO’s European pillar or national or multinational European means outside the NATO framework).

5. The EU will also need a capacity for analysis of situations, sources of intelligence, and a capability for relevant strategic planning.

6. The EU will also need to be able to approve military action, where the Alliance as a whole is not engaged, and to conduct such action.

7. Europe needs strengthened armed forces that can react rapidly to the new risks, and which are supported by a strong and competitive European defence industry and technology.

8. We are determined to unite in our efforts to enable the European Union to take decisions and approve military action where the Alliance as a whole is not engaged.