EUROCORPS - Basic Documents Page 1 of 2 08/30/2005 - 03:06 pm Home Organisation Missions History Press Gallery Links Contact About us Basic Documents Basic Documents This page contains brief descriptions of the basic documents that are considered of major importance for Principles of understanding Eurocorps' birth, composition and/or use. Employment Possible missions SFOR 1998 KFOR 2000 News Press releases Eurogazette ISAF VI La Rochelle Report: The "La Rochelle Report" is the founding act of the Eurocorps. This document defines the Eurocorps as a European multinational army corps that does not belong to the integrated military structure of the North Atlantic Alliance (NATO). It further describes more precisely the missions, subordination, employment possibilities, structure, and organisation of the Eurocorps, as well as a number of financial and legal aspects. Initially a French-German initiative, the Eurocorps was declared open for membership by other WEU-countries. The Petersberg and Rome Declarations: The Petersberg Declaration, made on the occasion of a Western European Union Summit on June 19, 1992, defined the WEU's role as the defence part of the European Union (cp. Maastricht Treaty, Amsterdam Treaty) and as an instrument to strengthen the Atlantic Alliance's European pillar. In support of this decision, the Corps member states decided on May 19, 1993 in Rome, to put the Eurocorps at the WEU's disposal. Three types of employment are envisaged: { the Eurocorps is to be prepared to carry out humanitarian aid missions and population assistance missions following a natural or technical disaster { it can also be made available for peace-restoring or peace-keeping missions, for example within the scope of the United Nations Organisation (UNO) or the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) { the Eurocorps can be employed as well as a mechanised army corps in high-intensity combat operations, in 31/08/2005 EUROCORPS - Basic Documents Page 2 of 2 order to ensure the common defence of the Allies in application of article 5 of the Washington Treaty (NATO), or of the Brussels Treaty (WEU) SACEUR Agreement: The specific SACEUR Agreement defines the conditions of Eurocorps' employment within the NATO framework. It was signed on January 21, 1993 by the French and German chiefs of defence on one hand and the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe (SACEUR) on the other hand. This agreement clearly sets: { Eurocorps' missions within NATO { the responsibilities for employment planning { the possible assignment of the Eurocorps under the NATO commander in chief { the responsibilities of and the relations between the NATO commander in chief and the Eurocorps command in peacetime The relations between the Eurocorps and NATO are based on following principles: { the specificity of this "multinational European task force", which will be respected { Eurocorps' resolve to adopt NATO structures and procedures, thus facilitating its rapid integration into NATO in case of commitment 31/08/2005.