Preparing the crown for European defence?

(BRUSSELS2) He is the only speaker to have been applauded, spontaneously, before the end of his speech, during the annual conference of the European Defense Agency on Thursday (March 21) at the Albert Hall in Etterbeek (Brussels).

Arnaud Danjean, Chairman of the Defense Sub-Committee (UMP/EPP) of the European Parliament, did not mince his words. In a year, we risk "to attend the funeral procession of the European Defense Agency" pointing out the absence "Strong political will over the long term in terms of defence".

We need political leaders!

Taking up the title of the conference, "European Defense Matters", the MEP wondered if this was really the case for European leaders, pointing out the lack of political vision: "You can have the best abilities or the best lyrics, but what's the point? (...) We need political leaders and voluntary commitments. » And to add: « I do not know today in the capitals what is the real will to have a defense policy (...)”

Let all the ministers start attending the meetings!

When the conference moderator asked him what he would like to do to improve defense Europe, the MEP replied that he would like “that all the ministers of defense attend the meetings to start” !

France alone in Mali?

The MEP took advantage of his speech to denounce the lack of European involvement in the intervention in Mali. " We have a European security strategy (which describes among the main threats) terrorism ».  A strategy for the Sahel has "been decided". " But who went (to Mali) to fight terrorism?” he wondered. “We are 27 in the Union but only one in Mali”.