Defence, a very discreet priority of the Polish presidency of the EU (Maj)
(BRUSSELS2) The key word for Poland, which will take over the EU presidency on July 1, is European integration. It has thus defined three main priorities: "European integration as a source of growth", "a safer Europe", and "a Europe benefiting from openness". This grouping remains quite "literary", not to say artificial. Thus the chapter "A safer Europe" brings together better economic governance (with the reform of the financial markets), the common agricultural policy, energy security and... defence. This last theme is also reduced to a bare minimum in this general program.
Obligatory discretion...
A few sentences to mention that Poland intends to act to " strengthen EU military and civilian capabilities " and " consolidate a direct dialogue between the EU and NATO ". This discretion should not, however, deceive. It is due, on the one hand, to the presence on the agenda of the Polish presidency of subjects that are undoubtedly more crucial for the country, such as the battle for the European budget, for the preservation of the common agricultural policy or energy security. On the other hand, we must not forget the impact of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon which removes from the rotating presidency any weight on foreign and defense policy. Hence this relative discretion.
... does not mean lack of ambition
This does not prevent the Polish Minister of Defense from touring his counterparts. He received the Frenchman, G. Longuet, during a long visit to Warsaw in mid-May, as well as the chairman of the EU military committee, shortly before, and traveled to Sweden and Bulgaria in April, to meet his counterparts there. for 12 (with Poland as framework nation).
Four priorities defined for defense policy
Four priorities have thus been defined at the Polish Ministry of Defence: strengthening cooperation between NATO and the EU, making the use of European Union battlegroups more effective, improving coordination in the use of civilian capabilities and military forces and develop cooperation with third countries, as Defense Minister Bogdan Klich has explained on numerous occasions. Added to this are the two "non papers" recently signed by Poland, within the framework of the Weimar triangle with the French and Germans, which notably promotes the idea of an autonomous HQ for European operations to maintain peace, as well as with the Belgians and Hungarians, on permanent structured cooperation and the progress of the Lisbon Treaty (solidarity clause, start-up fund, etc.).
No illusion
The Polish presidency has no illusions. It is only expecting fairly modest progress, down from its stated desire a year ago. The reason ? As a senior Polish official explained to B2, " we feel a clear lack of political will from the main partners: the United Kingdom and France, who have chosen to cooperate together, or from Germany. “And to concede:” We can't go on alone ».
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