Cathy goes to Paris to patch things up with Hervé, among friends

(BRUSSELS2) Back from Haiti, Cathy Ashton had a few hours to kill before going to Cordoba (Spain) for the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers. She took the opportunity to see the French Minister of Defense, Hervé Morin (*). It was at his request that this meeting was organized, it is said in Paris. A gesture of goodwill from the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Common Security Policy, after her noticeable and remarkable absence from Palma de Mallorca.... A way also for the Briton to show that it is not only the voice of London that counts for her and to maintain contact with all the Member States.

A council of defense ministers: yes without hesitation; a CPCO (conduct of operations): why not? Aside from the attire of the High Representative (which will always amaze us!) — with a long knitted scarf and a jacket with a military-style badge on the side (like teenagers) — two basic points should be remembered from this visit to the 'Hotel de Brienne (headquarters of the French Ministry of Defence). Not negligible... On the one hand, the High Representative is " entirely » agree on the need to have formal councils of defense ministers allowing formal decisions to be made both in terms of military operations and military capabilities and command resources. "It's necessary" she admitted bluntly. Another point to note: on the establishment of a " permanent capacity for planning and conducting operations (CPCO), she did not evade the question. She even showed herself to be quite enthusiastic, without saying yes completely, but at least ready to seriously study the question. What changes a little in particular compared to its skepticism expressed at the time of its hearing in January. Aaah, the good air of Paris .

(*) And not only him. A meeting was also organized at the Elysée with Jean-David Levitte, President Sarkozy's diplomatic adviser, then with Bernard Kouchner. He even offered a "lift" to the High Representative, whom he took under his wing... Rather on his plane to go to Cordoba.

(photo credit: A. Roiné/ECPAD)