NATO's solidarity clause is called article V, not article F-35 (Parly)
(B2) Invited by the think tanks American Atlantic Council, the French Minister of the Armed Forces took on Monday (March 18) a particularly offensive speech towards Washington.
NATO is not for selling weapons
This is probably the most severe passage of Florence Parly's speech: " I sometimes hear about protectionism. I say think carefully. Belgium buys F-35s. Sweden buys Patriots. Poland buys Himars. Europe has the most open arms market. I am personally concerned that NATO solidarity could be subject to the purchase of equipment by the allies. The covenant must be unconditional, otherwise it is not a covenant. NATO's solidarity clause is called Article V, not Article F-35. »
A strong Europe must be autonomous
« Building European autonomy should in no way be seen as a threat to the United States. insists Florence Parly. The (European) armies need equipment that responds to a common strategic culture that remains to be developed. Consolidating European industry is a way to improve capabilities. With 20 types of combat aircraft (compared to 6 for the United States), the Europeans suffer from a multitude of maintenance chains, specific supplies and capacities.
Washington needs a strong Europe
“Nor is this a reason for the United States to disengage, on the contrary “, she assures. Whether it is terrorism or the resurgence of powerful states, the USA and Europe face the same threats. Any distance between the two sides of the Atlantic would only weaken both sides. Such a distance could then incite Russia to carry out attacks comparable to those which targeted Georgia and Ukraine, against a NATO country: the notion of solidarity would in fact risk, in such a context, losing its capacity of deterrence.
(Romain Mielcarek)
Download the speech by Florence Parly.
