The Europe of Defense is not there yet! (F. Holland)

(BRUSSELS2 to Strasbourg) Responding to a question from journalists (my colleague Pascal Verdeau from France3), the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, acknowledged that “ Defense Europe has not yet taken on the expected dimension. There is no projection force at European level. » “From then on, these are countries that come together to intervene. » In Mali, France was the " only country that had the capacity to do so ". " We were close ” with in particular the “ bases in Africa ».

No complaints

The president denies bringing shame on Europe. " I assumed this decision without making any reproaches at European level. No European country could, in such a short time as we, intervene. » However, he launches a avertissement " : it is necessary " make the necessary arrangements for the future to be able to intervene. Which is " asked Europe » today is 1° « to train the Malian army and African troops "to do it and immediately"; and 2° to “gather as much funding as possible – for AFISMA – but above all to help Mali rebuild. " The political dialogue phase only makes sense if we allow the security of Malian territory and the inclusion of all in this process. It's easier if there is a development policy than if there isn't. »

Have a real foreign policy

Shortly before in his introductory speech, the president had indicated that " in this redistribution of the cards of power on a world scale Europe had to be present. " We must (...) have the necessary lucidity to develop a strategy to conduct a real common foreign policy, to have a European defence. France is ready for it. Once again, it is time to put an end to the dispersal of initiatives to pool our forces and our resources, to bring our industries closer together, to also harmonize our positions in international bodies where Europe must speak with one voice, to act to resolve the conflicts that strike human consciences »

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