European Union plans for a 60,000-strong Rapid Reaction Force have moved a step closer to reality after EU leaders agreed a plan to break a deadlock between Greece and Turkey over access for the force to NATO equipment.
The Rapid Reaction Force, which is due to become fully operational from next year, will need access to NATO planning, intelligence and logistics to conduct its crisis-management operations.
The deal came after Greece dropped its objections to giving Turkey rights of consultation and an opportunity to participate in EU operations.
The EU's foreign policy chief, Mr Javier Solana, predicted that Turkey, which has been blocking EU access to NATO equipment, would accept the deal.
"I don't think it will be necessary to renegotiate because we have a text which, to my mind, should be acceptable to the Turks," he said.
The Greek Foreign Minister, Mr George Papandreou, said he had spoken by phone with his Turkish counterpart, Mr Sukru Sina Gurel.
"I told Mr Gurel today we would be sending him new ideas and he is, of course, expecting them. We think it's a very good deal, based on principles we all can deal with, and therefore we think there are high chances that everyone in NATO can accept it," he said.
EU diplomats were more cautious, however, pointing out that Turkey faces elections on November 3rd and is likely to link the deal to its aspiration to join the EU. Ankara wants EU leaders to set a start for accession negotiations with Turkey when they meet in Copenhagen in December.
EU leaders yesterday praised recent Turkish progress on human rights but most member-states believe that Turkey is far from ready to begin the process of joining the EU.
The EU had hoped to take over NATO's Operation Amber Fox in Macedonia this month, but NATO agreed to keep its force of 700 lightly armed soldiers on in the former Yugoslav republic until mid-December when it became clear that an EU-NATO deal would not be ready.
Mr Solana said he now believed it would be possible for the EU to take over the Macedonia operation in early 2003.
EU leaders condemned the taking of hostages in a Moscow theatre and expressed their solidarity with Russia in the fight against terrorism.
"Taking innocent civilian people hostage is a cowardly and criminal act of terrorism, which cannot be defended or justified for any cause. The European Council strongly condemns this act of terrorism and fully supports the efforts by the Russian government to solve the crisis and ensure the early and safe release of the hostages," they said.
During lunch yesterday, EU foreign ministers discussed the situation in the Middle East and Iraq.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said after the summit that he hoped it would be possible for the UN Security Council, of which Ireland is a member, to reach agreement on a resolution demonstrating their seriousness about removing the threat to international peace and security.
He said the Government wanted to see the issue of arms inspections in Iraq resolved by exclusively peaceful means "but whether or not this can be achieved is largely in the hands of the Iraqi government. All they have to do is meet their obligations under the United Nations Charter," he said.
