Informal defense of Ghent: a meeting focused on capabilities

(BRUSSELS2) The informal meeting of Defense Ministers, which is being held in Ghent, the chosen land of the Belgian Defense Minister, Pieter de Crem, will be mainly devoted to capabilities. Subject fully topical at a time when budgetary restrictions are hitting several countries hard. It will be, in the words of Pieter de Crem himself “ an informal meeting in the proper sense ", inspired by the brainstorming meeting held " in London in 2008 within the framework of NATO and devoted solely to the transformation ».

Don't let your guard down

The Belgian Minister heard, in fact, to hold a meeting at " limited attendance ". After a welcome concert at the cathedral of Saint-Bayon, the ministers should thus meet for dinner at the town hall of Ghent, without anyone by their side. The High Representative of the EU will simply make an appearance, in the evening, at the start of the meeting, by means of the video-conference (1).

Theme of the dinner, a very political subject: what vision for European defense? What to do with the new treaty? Of the new instruments it provides and of the objectives to be pursued? It will be " an opportunity to share our visions, our understanding and our ambitions explains Pieter De Crem. " We must establish the base, build the foundations for the work for which the Treaty of Lisbon gives us the instruments. It is a fact – as the Minister diplomatically reminds us – that if the Treaty of Lisbon entered into force, “ the European Union has no not yet ways to take full advantage of it, certainly in terms of CSDP. However, this meeting should not be expected to lead to permanent structured cooperation (2). " The instruments that the Treaty brings to noticere disposal require a additional analysis in order to be able to implement them recognizes the Minister. But, in general, he warns we cannot have less vision than those who wrote the Treaty ».

Building capacity in times of crisis

The next morning, the two working sessions will be devoted to “capabilities”. The meeting will then take place according to the “Ministers + 1” format (ie the Minister with an adviser, not counting the people in the listening room). The Belgian intends to conduct this debate not in a "very technical" way as usual, but more like " an open discussion (allowing) to reach a clear and shared political vision of the development of capabilities in support of our crisis management missions, both military and civil-military ". An approach that will have to take current constraints into account. " The crisis financial and economic impact on our societies forces us to seek savings and offers us the opportunity to find new forms of cooperation allowing us to do more or better with less ».

Note that, contrary to usual, operations will not be discussed during this Council (it is true that there is currently no real debate on new military missions). This subject will be reserved for the “formal meeting” in November.

Read also:
(1) Cathy Ashton, present at the informal defense, … remotely
(2) The trio of presidencies presents its position on permanent structured cooperation

(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)