Bring together defense concepts before a European army? (Bitterlich)
(B2) The word of Joachim Bitterlich is often worth the detour. This former adviser to Helmut Kohl returns, on the site of All of Europe, on recent advances in defense (and other topics). A statement worth listening to. For him, PESCO is a “ project which constitutes a first step, but which must be followed in other areas ».
Some cultural differences
But we must not hide certain difficulties. Progress in foreign policy and security is “ difficult given our very different and sometimes even opposing cultures and traditions ". Between a German and a French, the differences are fundamental, when we talk about defense, “ a German thinks first of all of the defense of the territory while a Frenchman includes at the same level the need for military intervention, to overcome crises and conflicts ».
The need for an agenda on intelligence, transport, acquisition
To move forward, he "We must gradually bring our conceptions of defense closer together to make them convergent and compatible". You will also need a clear and engaging agenda on fundamental issues such as cooperation in intelligence, planning, transport and logistics, acquisition and control” Like on "arms export" ". Very delicate points which have not yet been addressed at European level.
A European army, possible by 2030?
Bitterlich is absolutely confident in the idea that "thehe European defense project will [soon] cease to be a utopia ". " If the start works well - and if we manage to attack this ambitious agenda in a parallel and committed way - we may be able to speak in 2025 or in 2030 of a European army. »
Political cooperation to be reviewed
At the same time, one should not hesitate to engage in in-depth reflection on the common foreign policy. " We have not yet found the "magic formula" for cooperation between, on the one hand, Brussels, the office headed by Mrs Mogherini and the new external action service, and on the other hand, the diplomatic services and the foreign countries of the Member States. »
(NGV)
Read on the site of All of Europe