Europeanize capacities. Strengthening Defense Europe (Kader Arif)

(BRUSSELS2) The Minister's speech to the auditors of the IHEDN, the Institute for Advanced Studies in National Defence, is often a chosen moment. Because it makes it possible to deliver a major axis, a subject of reflection to which the main actors of Defense are invited. The context this year is a bit special. Since an important reflection is engaged in France within the framework of the White Book. And there could be no question for the Minister of delivering the first results in advance. Except on one point: Europe. It is this point that constituted the essence of the speech delivered by Kader Arif (the Minister Delegate, in charge of Veterans Affairs replacing his Minister JY Le Drian), on October 5, in the grounds of the Military School, delivering a vibrant plea in favor of a Europe of defence, European cooperation and greater responsibility for the continent in terms of its security.

This discourse may seem quite natural and classic in a Brussels arena. But, in Paris, it is not automatically the easiest or obvious speech to justify. We can " understand skepticism "in front of a" Well-known Arlesian for 10 years “, explained Kader Arif. But the situation is different today, describing the four reasons which, according to him, "found this European conviction". " The relaunch of European defense is not only a conviction that brings us together but a necessity that imposes itself on us as European partners” he pointed out. He also wanted to silence certain "anxieties" that are emerging among some allies. " What we mean by relaunch of European Defense does not mean for France a drop in its commitment to NATO. (...) Strengthening European defense will in fact contribute to strengthening the Atlantic Alliance (…) European capabilities will also be at the service of NATO. »

NB: This speech sets, in a way, the tone of the future White Paper, and more immediately of the report to be delivered, at the end of October, by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hubert Védrine, on the reintegration of France. in NATO. If it no longer seems a question in Paris of questioning this reintegration, of which we are taking over, in a way, the heritage, and the positive aspects, we also want to rebalance the French orientation, towards European defense. Two sides of the same policy.

The four reasons that "found this European conviction"

Become a security producer

• The repositioning of American interests towards Asia Pacific “ must lead Europe to stop being a consumer of security and become a producer of defence” not only " for the benefit of the European States, but also in a logic of regional and international responsibility, towards the South and towards the East”.

Coordination and political vision at European level

• “ The threats we face require responses that go beyond the framework of States alone and legitimize multilateral responses Û. The European Union thus offers a palette of tools unique in the world », of the action " strictly military, the fight against trafficking, police training, development aid “…” All of these tools exist. But they still lack coordination, especially a political vision ».

Share or give up

• budgetary constraints “ can and should be compensated by greater cooperation ". The issue is " to avoid strategic downgrading ". It is "vital" to organise, at Union level, " mutually agreed capability interdependencies ". ... " For some abilities, the alternative is clear: we will share them or we will give them up.. NB: A discourse that contrasts with current opinion in Paris as in certain capitals, where the armies consider that they must have the full range of possible interventions.

• Peace as a goal

"It is the Europe of defense which will lay the last stone of the Europe of peace, because there can be no greater trust between the member countries than that of sharing, in the face of common challenges, the same ambition in terms of defense (…) One year from the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War, there is a moral and historical obligation for European leaders to take up the torch of the founding fathers. »

Three sides of recovery

This recovery passes, according to the minister by three axes.

• 1st axis: revisit the European strategy. " Ten years after Javier Solana's European security strategy, and five years after its revision, (…) logic dictates that we should draft a new strategy to define between Europeans a shared vision of the world, and the same conception of the role as Union aspires to play on the international stage ". " When the analysis is common, Europe knows how to give itself the means to act, and thus demonstrates its added value in terms of defense ».

You have to think about the crisis areas, he says. The challenge of this review is also to " reflect among Europeans on current or future centers of crisis, on our areas of security interest and, thereby, on possible European projections ". For Kader Arif, he “ you also have to know not to close your eyes to the subjects of tension  like the role of battlegroups or the Eulex Kosovo mission (the French withdrawal was badly experienced). In 2013, he proposed, the battlegroup "Weimar" could serve as a reserve force in Kosovo.

• Second axis: Europeanizing capacities. It is necessary " Increase capacity availability in Europe. The will to project oneself is not everything; to achieve this, we must have credible military capabilities. » « If we want to maintain our strategic rank, to Europeanise certain capabilities ". A common term on the European side but little heard on the French side. It is necessary " have the reflex of pooling and sharing capabilities (…) but also, for future armament programs, develop a reflex of design in cooperation”. A model that can only know one exception: " technologies that are too sensitive, such as those related to deterrence”.

• Third axis: industry. " We have to think about the industrial synergies that would allow us to be more competitive. EADS is a fine example in the aeronautical field. We must now focus on the naval and land domains”. It is also about " coordinate R&D policy, for example by seizing community funding opportunities”. And therefore to engage a in-depth reflection on the role of the European Commission in matters of defense policy. By this, the Minister intends to target both competition policy (authorization of mergers, monitoring of State aid, etc.) and research policy.