The European Defense Agency sends its missi dominici

(BRUSSELS2) They are four, to have started working at the European Defense Agency, four experts, men of experience — two soldiers, two civilians; two Latins, two Nordics —: Italian General Vincezo Camporini (former Italian Chief of Staff), Frenchman François Lureau (former Director General of Armaments), Finn Eero Lavonen (former DGA in Finland and Chairman of the Board of Directors Agency), Swedish General Matts Nielsen. Their mission: to hatch pooling and sharing projects.

A mission that is not easy...

A mission that is not really secret but must remain discreet to remain effective. As in any good detective film, these four have therefore received a mission, which is anything but easy. Because, despite appearances, and apparently consensual speeches, the acceleration of pooling & sharing is struggling to come into practice at the level of European States. As explained by a European official in charge of this file, it is a question of " identify the obstacles to pooling and sharing and get back to the Ministers as quickly as possible by identifying possible cooperation, in the sectors that will be mature ».

Don't Tell My Mom I'm Wise pen...

However, do not say that these men are "wise pen", even if their mission looks like it like two drops of water, you will immediately attract an official denial. The reason is not technical, but political. This term is, in fact, erased from official language today; certain States - like Germany - having looked at it with a bad eye. These missi-dominici of a new kind will however have a fundamental difference compared to the Wise Pen. Their primary objective is not to produce a good report but to bring back, very quickly, some concrete, usable ideas that could lead to rapid policy decisions.

A discussion between peers

Using former officials either of the General Staff or of the armament, presents, in fact, a definite asset in a sensitive area, where the countries and the General Staffs struggle to confide. " It's much easier for a former director to perceive reality. And national officials to confide in one of their peers. Two of these "missi-dominici" were thus at the "Weimar" seminar organized by France on pooling and sharing in Paris. And everyone expects quick results. " We hope to be able to arrive this fall with concrete projects. And that the European Union arrives at the summit in Chicago next May to show what Europe can do “Reports our expert on the file.