The European Union (EU) foreign ministers decided in Brussels on Monday to set up the European Security and Defense College (ESDC), a EU-level coordination body to organize and conduct training activities in the security and defense field.

"The ESDC will be organized as a network between national institutes, colleges, academies and institutions within the EU dealing with security and defense policy issues and the European Union Institute for Security Studies," said a conclusion document issued by a meeting of the EU ministers on Monday.

According to the EU's design, the college will provide training in the field of European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) at the strategic level in order to develop and promote a common understanding of ESDP among civilian and military personnel.

The ESDC training activities will consist of two types: the ESDP High Level Course, and the ESDP Orientation Course.

The EU ministers decided to set up three bodies for the functioning of the ESDC:

- a "Steering Committee" which will be responsible for the overall coordination and direction of the training activities of the ESDC. The committee will be composed of one representative appointed by each EU member state;

- an "Executive Academic Board" which is responsible for the implementation of the training activities and for ensuring their quality and coherence;

- a permanent secretariat for the ESDC which will in particular assist the previous two bodies. The General Secretariat of the EU Council will act as the Secretariat of the ESDC.

(Xinhua News Agency July 19, 2005)