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Political and defence Europe (by Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)

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The Parliament proposes to launch a coordination of the armies = "SAFE"

(B2) The report that the German CDU MEP Karl Von Wogau has drafted and which should be adopted at this plenary session of the European Parliament in Brussels (Wednesday and Thursday 18/19 February) is interesting for more than one reason. Because it proposes a new process at the level of European Defence, called SAFE, for "Synchronized Armed Forces Europe" - intended to strengthen cooperation between national armed forces, which is based on a " voluntary closer coordination ».

Division of tasks and status of soldiers. It's not about really creating a new structure. But to better coordinate and coordinate certain functions. SAFE would be founded “ on the principle of a distribution of tasks at European level with regard to military capabilities ". It should contain a " European military status » which governs the level of training, the doctrine of intervention and freedom of maneuver in operation, the question of rights and duties as well as the level of quality of equipment, medical care and social coverage in the event of death , injuries and unfitness for service.

Is the era of “every man for himself” over? For MEPs, the situation is clear. It is time to break with the current practice. Member States " Who still too often view their interests from a purely national perspective and, in so doing, neglect the joint responsibility incumbent on them for the protection of common European interests ". This " approach is counterproductive ».

(NGV)

Nicolas Gros Verheyde

Chief editor of the B2 site. Graduated in European law from the University of Paris I Pantheon Sorbonne and listener to the 65th session of the IHEDN (Institut des Hautes Etudes de la Défense Nationale. Journalist since 1989, founded B2 - Bruxelles2 in 2008. EU/NATO correspondent in Brussels for Sud-Ouest (previously West-France and France-Soir).