This replaced the mutual defence clause of the Western European Union (WEU) which will be wound up in 2011, and which currently consists of delegations from national parliaments.

BBC: Security and Defence Committee

WEU, says the treaty, must become the Union's defence component.

ECONOMIST: Quick march! Who says?

WEU's presidency in the first half of 2000.

ECONOMIST: Portugal��s agenda for Europe

WEU, move into collective security.

ECONOMIST: Ever closer union, 40 years on | The

The Committee recommended that the WEU "identify without delay Europe's needs and the means available to it to counter the ballistic missile threat and adopt without delay a joint European position" on the American GPALS system because, the report states, Europe can "no longer postpone" a response.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy