Defense industry: a European Council or nothing
(BRUSSELS2) The findings were clear. To listen to many of the interventions of European, industrial or political leaders gathered for the annual conference of the European Defense Agency, yesterday (January 31) in Brussels, the finding seems clear. We arrive at an impasse on "pooling and sharing" if there is not additional political impetus, coming from above. The observation has been made, reflections have been carried out, the first projects presented... But as summarized by Olof Skoog, who chairs the COPS, the political and security committee, " the bottom up (*) approach will have limits ". He had previously explained that “ our role at the COPS is to keep the momentum going, to send a message to the capitals, to push for a strategic debate on capabilities. » And that is apparently not enough... At some point, the Heads of State and Government of the European Union will have to take up the issue to, if not debate this issue in depth, at least give a signal that can then be rolled out in each capital, within governments, administrations and General Staff. If no one ostensibly claims it, it is a fact that cannot be ignored.
Multiple blockages
We can of course impute blockages, heaviness, forces of inertia in the intermediate hierarchies. We can also invoke that all the administrations are jostled by the various budget cuts, which sometimes occur several times a year, and do not make it possible to predict what may happen beyond a few months. There is also the electoral calendar in many countries or the weakness of governments in others. We can also observe that the agenda of the Heads of State and Government has so far (for the past 4 years!) focused on a few points: the rescue of the banks first, then of Greece, the indebtedness and budget monitoring after passing through financial regulation. But we can also notice that the word "economic growth" has begun to appear alongside these entirely financial concerns, thus officially appearing at the top of the concerns of the 27 at the last summit, on 30 January. As Jean-Claude Juncker, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, explained to B2 at the time: “We all think that the consolidation of public finances is important, because there would be no growth without consideration of public finances. But now we recognize that employment and growth policies must complement this policy”. In other words, the spirits seem more mature. The inclusion of the Defense issue on the agenda is a priori essential.
It's rational
Questioned by B2, during this meeting, on January 31, the president of the European Defense Agency, Claude-France Arnould, wanted to be cautious on this point - " It's not for the EDA to say" —, not wishing to overstep his role. But she couldn't help but recognize that the need was there: "It's rational. » « Ct is really up to Heads of State and Government to decide. (...) There are almost all the reasons for this subject to rise at European level. "In fields" as sensitive "to trigger cooperation, you need a" impulse at the highest level she explained, taking as an example the Franco-British Treaty of Saint Malo. Certainly " All governments are now under budget constraint ". Constraints taken into account. But the heads of government are going to have a discussion also on growth. The defense industry is an important lever for growth. It is a technological engine (which represents) employment, investment, export... ".
The time is right
As for the date, If it could be before Chicago, of course it would be welcome…”, concluded CF Arnould. This may seem difficult with the current calendar constraint currently weighing on the 27, with the next formal summit scheduled for March 1. But European summits are now becoming commonplace. And the moment seems more than opportune. It's up to Herman (Van Rompuy) to play now...
Read also: An informal defense, all the same, in the 1st half, but in Brussels
