In the "Declaration on the Role of the Western European Union and its Relations with the European Union and with the Atlantic Alliance" of 10 December 1991, WEU Member Sutes set as their objective "to build up WEU in suges as the defence component of the European Union".
Sa 'Dearbhú maidir Ie ról Aontas Iarthar na hEorpa agus a chaidreamh leis an Aontas Eorpach agus leis an gComhghuaillíocht Atlantach' a rinneadh ar an 10 Nollaig 1991, leag Ballstáit AIE síos mar chuspóir 'AIE a fhorbairt i gcéimeanna mar eilimint chosanta an Aontais Eorpaigh'.