A Briton at the European Defense Agency, happy!

(BRUSSELS2) Gerald Howarth, British Secretary of State for International Security Strategy, today spent part of his day at the European Defense Agency. He was also able to attend the first demonstration of the maritime surveillance system (Marsur) developed by the Agency. And he came out... happy. A Brit happy with a European initiative, especially when he is conservative and rather Eurosceptic, it's rare enough to be reported 🙂

« I came to see how we could have an agency that in a way reinforces our practical capacities and allows to have a return on the money invested. he declared at the end of the experience to a trio of journalists (including B2). " Progress is encouraging. Marsur is a very good example. And the Minister launched into a warm plea in favor of this European initiative. "Marsur constitutes a very interesting practical contribution, uan extremely valuable source to help us with maritime surveillance. We all need cooperation in this area, where we have to deal with threats, often asymmetric, such as terrorism »

Additional advantage for the Briton: “ There is no conflict of interest with NATO, that's good news, because NATO couldn't do that. Based on the example of the joint headquarters established in Northwood, which serves both the European Union and NATO, he underlines how much " the taxpayers of our country will recognize that we are careful that every pound and...every euro is well spent ". Would the United Kingdom then become the first supporter of the agency? one might ask (question I asked him). The United Kingdom " is a member of the European Union and the European Defense Agency. And the EDA gives us a practical means of return on investment, a practical and serious contribution to the defense of Europe. " Eh yes !