A reinforced European HQ: no longer say “No”, say “yes, why not”.

(B2)The idea had already been in the air for years. But for years, the British were particularly reluctant, not to say hostile, to this. Clearly, it was always "No, no and again no". The "true military headquarters is at NATO", they said. "No need to recreate another structure". "That would be a duplicate." A statement that found echoes and support in several countries of the European Union.

The initial enthusiasm had given way to reluctance. The spirit of Saint-Malo in 1998 which had programmed this reinforcement was forgotten. Even the Franco-Belgian-German project presented in 2003 had fizzled out. The Germans themselves were no longer very keen on it (seeinterview with Jung the German minister).

Negative consequences. Result: the European Union General Staff that was set up was only an embryo of what could be done. It was not large enough - 200 men in all and for all, assistants and drivers included - to plan (prepare) an operation and conduct (direct) it at the same time, not to mention all the preparation and watch work politico-military for the General Secretariat of the Council. Indeed, the General Staff prepares and plans the exercises, prepares and writes the concepts of operation of the EU (it is a little the center of doctrine), ensures a watch - permanent 24 hours a day since this year - Etc.

Without progress. Last year, mainly at the instigation of France, a lighter version of the Headquarters was presented. By only strengthening planning and abandoning the idea that this HQ would conduct operations. Which is essential anyway because it concerns the anticipation of missions. The ace. It was still too much for the British!

The British opposition has just fallen. Without firing a shot. As the new Minister of Defence, John Hutton, had explained half-wordly, it is time for the United Kingdom to join the ESDP (like France joins NATO). An ideological turning point which draws its motivations from a series of reasons (*). The "paper" which the presidency has just presented to the British - and which aims to strengthen planning - has not met with "opposition in principle. The United Kingdom is ready to discuss it". It is an indisputable step. On the German side, apparently the same feeling of openness. The financial consequences will be limited. The question should be discussed and be the subject of a declaration at the European Council on 10 December.

Planning only. Make no mistake: this is not a total revolution. It is not a real European headquarters for the command of the Europeans. At least... not yet. Each of the national headquarters that can be used for a European operation will not be deleted. It is "simply" to expand the General Staff by allowing it to have more planners, to better anticipate crisis management, to prepare an operation upstream and above all to make civilians and soldiers work together better. How this contribution of personnel will be carried out - dry recruitment, redeployment within the workforce of the Council or secondment of personnel from Member States - the question has not yet been decided and it will rather be up to the High Representative of the EU, Javier Solana, and his team to propose solutions. It is also about getting civilians and soldiers to work better together. By also incorporating other players (European Commission, UN, etc.).

It's primordial. The issues - faced with crisis management - are sometimes similar. The preparation for the operation in Georgia showed this. To send the civilian mission, the military staff had to temporarily lend certain skills to the civilian staff. Because concretely in an operation, whether civil or military, a number of problems (and solutions) are the same: from questions of customs clearance of equipment to managing the arrival of personnel and equipment, for example, to diplomatic contacts and assessment of the crisis.

(NGV)

(*) To this we must undoubtedly add a very practical exchange of good practices between the British and the French within the framework of the NATO operation (Isfas) in Afghanistan.