When we say ESDP is operational, we mean that it has the basic framework to fulfil basic tasks such as humanitarian rescue missions

UK Europe Minister Peter Hain

Europe has long wished to match its economic muscle with political and military weight - as it was notably unable to do in Kosovo - and this is perceived as the moment of truth.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has suggested that the force should be "visible" in post-Taleban Afghanistan, along with the military contributions made by individual member states, even though it is not intended to be fully formed until 2003.

By then it should be able to deploy a force of 60,000 men in less than 60 days and to sustain them for a year.

Limitations

There is only a limited amount the force, in its present state, could do.

"When we say ESDP is operational, we mean that it has the basic framework to fulfil basic tasks such as humanitarian rescue missions, not that it has the ability to engage in peace enforcement operations," UK Europe Minister Peter Hain said last month.

The force is intended ultimately to carry out what are known as the Petersberg tasks:

• Humanitarian and rescue tasks
• Peacekeeping tasks
• Tasks of combat forces in crisis management, including peacemaking

However, in the light of the 11 September attacks there has been talk of either adding to this list, or redefining it, possibly to include something like the bombing campaign in Afghanistan.

Special forces

One idea is to create a European special forces capability. EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana will deliver a report on this at the summit.

The force's main problems at the moment are shortages of certain types of hardware, and disagreements with Greece over a deal giving EU soldiers access to Nato facilities in Turkey, and Nato's military planning capability.

The biggest hardware shortages are in the realms of logistics and intelligence gathering - wide-body aircraft and roll-on-roll-off ships, transportable docks, communications equipment, satellites, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs, used for reconnaissance.

Most European governments appear confident that the shortfalls can be met, but one recent study, by the International Institute of Strategic Studies, says they are simply not spending enough on defence to buy the necessary equipment by 2003.