The decisions taken at the EU Feira Summit regarding the arrangements on Common European Security and Defence Policy (CESDP) have been examined. The Turkish Foreign Ministry wishes to bring the following points to the attention of the public:

1-NATO is the primary organization for the collective defence and security of Europe. NATO has also priority in crisis management, as set out at the NATO's Washington Summit of April 1999, and confirmed at the subsequent NATO Ministerial Council Meetings.

2-The Washington Summit of April 1999, as well as the Ministerial Meetings in Brussels and in Florence of December 1999 and of May 2000 respectively, have set out the relations between NATO and the EU's Common European Security and Defence Policy (CESDP). In accordance with these decisions, the EU's requests from NATO might be met on a "case-by-case" basis and by consensus.

It was foreseen at the Washington Summit that the involvement of the non-EU European Allies in EU-led crisis management operations would be ensured, building on the existing arrangements within the Western European Union.

Turkey's approach and policies regarding the evolving CESDP will be shaped within this framework.

3-Turkey is evaluating the CESDP in light of her national interests and the above-mentioned elements, while bearing in mind her responsibility as a candidate for accession to the EU. In this framework, Turkey has supported the non-EU European Allies to participate actively in the EU's security and defence initiative and to undertake tasks to this end, with a view to preserving acquired rights. Such formations on European scale should develop in conformity with the principles of "indivisibility of security" and "preservation of the trans-atlantic link". It is of paramount importance not to create inequality and division within the Alliance.

4-The Feira Summit has provided a frame for the initial phase of the evolving CESDP. This frame is insufficient in terms of its "crises management" aspect. It is our view that the participation of Turkey and other non-EU European Allies in the arrangements concerning CESDP, including crises management, is far from satisfactory. As such, the Feira decisions have not taken into account the significant aspects of NATO's above mentioned Summit and Council decisions. This attitude displayed by the EU would have serious implications on EU-NATO relations whose development requires special care.

5-Turkey will closely follow up the decisions taken at Feira on CESDP and its implications for NATO. In this regard, the EU's requests from NATO will be assessed by Turkey within the framework of the above-mentioned principles, her national interests and of European security. Turkey's acceptance of an automatic EU access to NATO assets and capabilities is out of question.

6-The EU has been stating that the Feira decisions constitute a phase in the evolution of the CESDP and that improvements could occur in the process. It would be appropriate in the next stage of the process to address the EU-NATO relations in a realistic manner and to provide active involvement for Turkey and other non-EU European Allies. In this regard, it will be important to fill in these deficiencies and shortcomings at the Nice Summit to be held at the end of the French Presidency.

7-The above mentioned points will be taken in due consideration from now on in contributing to the work being carried out at NATO and at the relevant EU fora. Our involvement in and contribution to the evolution of the CESDP shall be assessed within this framework. Turkey can not be expected to be content with the Feira decisions and alter her views.