For Jamie Shea (NATO), we must move towards a “Berlin + Civil” agreement with the EU

(BRUSSELS2) Ten years ago, the EU, which wanted to develop a European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP), but lacked military resources, turned to NATO. Thus was concluded a cooperation agreement, called "Berlin Plus", prepared in 1999 and made official in 2003. It allows the EU to benefit from the command structures of Alliance Atlantic. But today, to listen Jamie Shea, director of political planning at NATO (and former spokesperson for the organization), this agreement seems outdated or at least needs to be supplemented. And it's NATO who now seems to be asking: to be able to use this agreement Berlin+ which tends to fall into disuse, and above all to conclude an agreement "Berlin+ Civil". Because the need for civilian capabilities in operations, particularly in Afghanistan. , is crucial to win... The reversal of the situation seems notable!

Jamie Shea speaks to the deputies of the defense subcommittee of the European Parliament, Wednesday (photo © ngv).

Berlin+ agreement exceeded? « Berlin+ was based on the fact that the EU would have borrowed military assets from NATO. And we would have said Yes, possibly, subject to conditions. (…) Now the EU has developed its own military capabilities: maritime, battle groups, buys his
own Airbus aircraft, has its own HQ… The EU no longer has the same need to apply the agreement Berlin + than in the mid-1990s” Jamie analysis Shea. Fact, " Of the 23 EU missions, only 2 fell under Berlin+: a small mission in Phyrome in 2003 (now completed) and the mission in Bosnia which endures (NB: for a short time yet). Today, when the EU and theNato are in a country or at sea together (Kosovo, Afghanistan. , Somalia …), Berlin + is not applicable. Rather than the rule Berlin+ has become the exception »

Other modes of cooperation. Jamie Shea proposes to revisit this agreement by providing for other aspects such as the provision to the EU of NATO's strategic air capability (3 C17) or the joint training of battle groups – rapid reaction force. But, above all, he considers "necessary to have an agreement" Berlin+ Civilian”. « Our cooperation must adapt to reality »

Un Berlin+ Civilian. NATO does not have the same means qur The union European, Jamie Shea recognizes it. " The EU, like the UN, is a global organisation. This is not the case with NATO. NATO (for example) has no civilian capacity. NATO's success does not depend solely on military success in its operations. But it must persuade the other organizations (USA, EU, etc.) to be on the ground with missions and means. I will be very frank: the EU has advantages that NATO does not have. It works in the judiciary, can train police officers,
to be election observers, etc. »

Strategic harmony. Jamie Shea defended himself from any desire to annex one organization by another: " A French ambassador once said that the EU had no vocation to become a civilian agency of NATO. He is right " he underlined, with humor. And to explain: NATO does not have to command the EU. These two organizations must be independent. What we would like is to be able to at least have strategic harmony with the EU in areas which for both are of vital importance. As for example in Afghanistan. or in Balkans. "In these regions, " the EU and NATO have very similar interests. And EU countries would be just as threatened by failure as the USA and Canada. »