BRUSSELS — The Cold War-era Western European Union defence alliance, set up in the wake of World War II, is to cease functioning, its assembly’s head Robert Walter said on Wednesday.
“The WEU as an organisation will be wound down within a year or so,” said British parliamentarian Walter, who presides over the Paris-based assembly of the international grouping.
The body was initiated by Belgium, Britain, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands in 1948 and later expanded to include Germany, Italy, Spain and others.
Its founding principles were “to afford assistance to each other in resisting any policy of aggression,” and “to promote unity and to encourage the progressive integration of Europe.”
The very year after it was formed the eclipse of the western European body began with the formation of NATO, with the key inclusion of the United States.
It has since seen its role disappear altogether as the Cold War ended and the 27-nation European Union and NATO presided over a largely peaceful Europe.
Walters said an announcement would be made “in the coming days” on ending the WEU, which is no longer seen as having a useful role in the present-day world.
According to a diplomat, British Foreign Secretary David Miliband wrote this month to the WEU’s British delegation informing it of Britain’s intention to renounce the body’s founding treaty within the coming days.
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