The Defense Union has a staunch supporter: the European Parliament

(BRUSSELS2) If there is one place where a Europe of Defense is still at the heart of European action, it is in the European Parliament. The parliamentarians do not want to give in to the prevailing defeatism or give up on the ambition of a “Defence Union”. They say it loud and clear in front of Heads of State and Government whom they consider timorous. On the eve of the summit, B2 brought together the few sentences heard in recent days in Parliament.

« Europe will not be Europe until we have a European defense policy "- Ines Ayala Sender (S&D, Spain). 

Europe is not ready

After building peace on the continent, the Europeans forgot to prepare for a new war, whatever its form.

“Our Union is not equipped to face major defense challenges. — Urmas Paet (ALDE, Estonia)

No longer dependent on NATO

The Europeans could not ensure their own security if Russia were to take action, depending on the agreement of the Americans... and the Turks. The European Parliament is once again resuming its demand for independence from the transatlantic organisation.

“NATO cannot, with its decision-making table on which Mr. Erdoğan and soon Mr. Trump sit, be the Europeans' security guarantee. We need to take ourselves in hand, and it is time to turn good intentions and good words into concrete actions. — Arnaud Danjean (The Republicans/EPP)

Stop the hypocrisy

For MEPs, the real problem is political. The lack of will on the part of the Member States is the real brake on a Europe of defence. They therefore ask the Heads of State and Government to assume " greater responsibility ».

“We have many ridiculous examples of malfunction. Let's take them battle groups. They have been around since 2007 but have never been used. It's even more ridiculous if you look closely at the reasons why they weren't used [...]" — Urmas Paet (ALDE, Estonia)

“Member States must stop saying that they want more defence, more security, without contributing financially. It just doesn't work. — Ioan Pascu (PSD/S&D, Romania).

Rethinking the CSDP to acquire strategic autonomy

We must begin to implement the "C" of the Common European Security Policy (CSDP), say MEPs: "mutualize" the efforts of capabilities, information exchange, military units made available to the EU for its missions in Africa or elsewhere... Objective: to have more strategic autonomy.

"The Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) must be radically overhauled in order to affirm the European Union's strategic autonomy and strengthen its resilience" — Ioan Pascu (PSD/S&D, Romania).

Talking about defense regularly in high circles

As contradictory as it may seem, security and defense are topics that are rarely dealt with by European decision-makers. The Ministers of Defense of the 28 only meet twice a year, always in the shadow of their colleagues from Foreign Affairs. Heads of State and Government only talk about defense and security in an episodical and often pithy way...

“The real problem is the absence of a Council of Defense Ministers. Just like the absence of a commissioner for defence. The result is a real lack of leadership. Of course, there is the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, with a hat for foreign affairs and security, which means pretty much everything in the world… I think that's too much. A single commissioner can't handle all of this, simply because no one has more than 24 hours a day” — Urmas Paet (ALDE, Estonia)

To have capabilities, revive the defense industry

The key to having the necessary defense capabilities is to strengthen the European defense industry, through new programmes, new funding...

“For years, we have known that the defense industry is a strategic industry facing an increasing number of challenges. Indeed, it was not necessary to reformulate it in another plan. Only new joint armament programs guarantee the survival of our defense industry. What is missing are cooperative programs”— Michael Gahler (CDU/EPP/ Germany)

A question of credibility

The final stake is clear. Considered a soft-power, the European Union is no longer credible if it cannot protect itself.

“If we are not able to ensure our security, the European Union will cease to exist. — Sandra Kalniete (EPP/Vienotiba, Latvia)

“We need a strong military capability. We need a substantial power projection capability. We need credible power to be able to participate in conflict prevention successfully. — Tamas Meszerics (Greens/ Germany)

(Leonor Hubaut)

Parliament wants to see the European Defense Union come to fruition (draft report)

CSDP priorities need to be rethought. Syria must be at the top of the list (Ioan Pascu)

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The 10 proposals of parliamentarians (in brief):

• Create a Defense Council and a European Defense Semester;
• Have a White Paper;
• revise the missions of Petersberg and allow for more varied types of interventions;
• create a European headquarters;
• use the battle groups, who are " making greater use of it for CSDP missions and operations ";
• revise the Athena mechanism for " expand common funding for CSDP operations  ";
• strengthening the European defense industry;
• allow the financing of defence-related research by Community funds;
• strengthen the European Diplomacy Service (EEAS): “ strengthen its thematic expertise and capacity for strategic planning and forecasting, as well as the field of intelligence ";
• do more in NATO, including helping member states hosting or involved in the deployment of the four battalions to the east.