It suggested more co-operation (to be decided by majority vote), the creation of multinational forces with "integrated command capability", harmonisation of weapons planning and a European armaments agency.
When the new, and pro-American, French President, Nicolas Sarkozy, returned France to the NATO integrated command in the spring of 2009, a number of prominent French figures stated their reservations, the most articulate of whom was the former French foreign minister under François Mitterrand, Hubert Védrine.
The integrated command system enables commanders to control operations on alliance territory and beyond.
In 2009, we did not support a return to the integrated command, but there is no question of organizing a permanent to-ing and fro-ing, and there would be little point in leaving it again today.
The need for an integrated command structure received more emphasis as a result of the inefficient arrangements which at times hindered the military's efforts during the Vietnam War.
It has also inherited operations of the former BAE Systems Insyte business such as military communications and integrated command & control (C²) systems.
De Gaulle removed France from NATO's integrated command in 1966.
The world needs a permanent standing United Nations army, with its own integrated command structure, logistical support, weapons and stable budget.
"I would make progress on European defense a condition for moving into the integrated command, and I am asking our American friends to understand that," he said.
This approach requires the development of comprehensive risk assessment for all the different assets, comprehensive integrated physical, technical and human security footprints, overlaid with an effective integrated command and control structure, and supported by comprehensive emergency planning.
