We need European regulations on private security companies

This is the feeling of the German Green MEP Franziska Brantner who confided in some journalists (including myself). " We cannot develop a foreign policy on the one hand and, at the same time, want a Europe of Defense, without tackling this question she points out. Especially since the situation begins to become ubiquitous. In Somalia, as well, the European Union with the participation of German soldiers, and on a Community budget, supports the training of Somali soldiers of the government while a private German company, which counts in its ranks former soldiers of the Bundeswehr, goes to train the opposition forces (1). » The situation in Afghanistan is also of concern because a good part of the aid, American in particular, is outsourced to private companies and worrying excesses are observed (2). “We must legislate ” therefore considers the MEP who has every intention of seizing the European Parliament and the European Commission on this issue. " Because it is at European level than a text framing this activity would be the most effective".

Comment: This demand has a certain logic when we know that part of the European defense contracts are now harmonized with two recent texts, one on public contracts, the other on the transfer of capital goods, and a regulations on the export of dual-use goods.

Read also:

• (1) Der Spiegel: Asgaard's plan to send private soldiers to support a warlord
• (2) A report was prepared by Italian MEP, Pino Arlacchi: Afghanistan: close EUPOL and review strategy. A MEP puts his feet in the dish.