Fabius defends the revival of European defence. A priority for France

(BRUXELLES2) The French Minister for Foreign Affairs, Laurent Fabius, did not go around the bush in Warsaw. Working in front of the Polish ambassadors on Thursday (July 26), he devoted his speech to the common European security and defense policy (PeSDC). Stating what worked, what did not work, frustrations and hopes, the specific role of the EU in relation to NATO, he outlined the strategic framework for this "European defence". It's a " condition of our strategic autonomy, essential for the European Union to continue to have a positive influence on world affairs " and one " major challenge in global industrial and economic competition”, he stated.

Objective: put the pieces back together

After the passage of his colleague from Defense in Warsaw, it is thus in a few days, the Minister of Foreign Affairs thus drives the point home. France is back on European defence. We remember, in fact, how disappointed the Poles were not to see their desire to relaunch European defense taken up and supported by their other partners, under their presidency (in the second half of 2). They planned to make it one of the priorities of their presidency but then had to give it up for various reasons. The Franco-British tropism of the time had something to do with it... And the Poles retained a certain bitterness. It was therefore urgent to pick up the pieces between Paris and Warsaw on this subject.

European defense policy: contrasting advances

In ten years of existence (and of absence from power for Laurent Fabius) the European defense policy has " evolved a lot ". She got " deeply transformed and in a rather contrasting way ". There was some " advances “, notes the Minister mentioning the deployment of more than twenty civil and military missions which have “ demonstrated the relevance of this ambition and the diplomatic and military capacity of Europeans, and our collective capacity to mobilize for peace and security in the world”. However, there was a lot of frustration”.

Do not give in to resignation at all - NATO

The Treaty of Lisbon remains largely untapped in the area of ​​Common Security and Defense Policy ". It's not so much a question of a lack of leadership, but there is a kind of resignation notes the Minister. " In several capitals, NATO, to which we belong, appears to be the only one capable of providing a military response to crisis management, while the European Union should be content solely with civilian management ". A point of view refuted by the minister and the entire government. “This state of mind is not that of the current French government. We, the French, wish (…) a revival of European defense. " Yes " NATO will of course continue to be a major pillar of Europe's security and defense » he asserts, « Europe's security and defense "cannot be summed up (in NATO) »

The objective is traced: strategic autonomy

Europeans must establish themselves as " objective of fully assuming their responsibilities in terms of international security, across the entire spectrum. we must be able to act autonomously in situations where our own interests are at stake, and in particular in situations where the Americans, who are our friends and our allies, do not wish to intervene ". A need that is all the more current at a time when the Americans are reorienting their priorities towards Asia-Pacific. The consequence is immediate. " Europeans must take greater responsibility for their own security”.

An economic issue

The challenge is not only strategic. It is also industrial and economic. A debate that “Limiting to strengthening the Atlantic Alliance will suck up the bulk of European spending in the field of security and defence. (…) this would also be done for the benefit of American production chains alone. " So there is " clearly, for us Europeans, an issue of preservation, not only of our strategic and military autonomy, but also of our industry and our jobs ».

A roadmap...

Laurent Fabius draws up a sort of roadmap. The strengthening of European capabilities to carry out these operations is “ essential "and it must be done" first in a specifically European framework, he explains. Cooperation is " the only viable solution if we want to limit the reduction of defense budgets. The pooling and sharing dynamic initiated within the European Union has so far only had limited results » and must be « amplified and focus on structuring projects ". The "strengthening of our defense industries" is essential, he adds, citing two manufacturers, the European EADS and the Polish Bumar. And the European Defense Agency must " more » be used.

In this context, other initiatives such as "intelligent defence" - Smart Defense - carried out at NATO " can provide interesting solutions ". But he warns, the development of NATO's capabilities must not suck up all the means which are limited ". (*).

The European headquarters: a prospect and no longer a condition

You will then have to go to the " creation of a headquarters ". But in a second time. The minister speaks more of a " perspective legitimate “, specifying that the French are not there” not closed "" As soon as we have made progress on operations and capabilities, it will appear necessary to strengthen our tools for planning and conducting these operations”. NB: which is the revelation of a certain previous blockage in the name of the Franco-British friendship that we had previously mentioned on this blog without this being officially confirmed). 

Permanent structured cooperation: why not?

As for the permanent structured cooperation desired by the Poles, " this is an avenue that we will study with great interest in the context of the reflection that we have undertaken on defense issues recognizes the minister. NB: we note the Minister's caution, which is quite understandable, given the many reservations in Paris about this permanent structured cooperation.

Upcoming initiatives...

Like the Polish anthem which mentions "Bonaparte showed us how to fight and win", the minister underlines that France and Poland must " together show the way to Europe to unite us and to strengthen European defense ". And he promised, to conclude. " France will take initiatives in the coming months to relaunch work around European defense and security. " We wait...

(*) NB: A point which sparked a discreet but intense debate between the Allies before the Chicago summit, opposing the French to most of their other allies on the reinforcement of the Alliance's capacities and common financing

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