Brussels, 19/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - The facts are no longer disputed by anyone: the Member States of the EU are facing a crisis of their military capability. These capabilities are being eroded more and more as the financial and budgetary crisis goes on. Meeting in Brussels on Monday 19 November, the Defence Ministers of the EU reiterated their joint will to find solutions to preserve their military action resources, possibly via closer cooperation and by pooling and sharing capability.
During the meeting of the steering committee of the European Defence Agency (EDA) in the morning, the ministers discussed progress made in various projects and programmes. Two new initiatives have reached fruition, alongside 11 existing projects. A group of 11 countries has agreed to facilitate international monetary transport and diplomatic flights between them. The agreement comprises harmonised procedures making it possible to obtain a diplomatic authorisation number valid for one year and for all types of military equipment, including weaponry.
The second agreement is on a letter of intent, by initiative of the Netherlands, concerning MRTT multirole transport and tanker aircraft. The aim of this initiative is not to buy aircraft jointly at this stage, but to facilitate the effective pooling of existing resources, for both military and civilian purposes, explained Claude-France Arnould, Director General of the EDA, at a press conference.
At the second meeting, which was attended this time by Commissioner Michel Barnier (Internal Market and Services), the industrial plank was discussed. The ministers welcomed the presentation of the work programme of the Defence Task Force of the Commission, the aim of which is to propose areas of action to make the European defence market more homogenous and efficient.
However, the questions of strategic choices, such as the involvement of political structures in the funding of military or dual-purpose capability or a joint industrial policy were left to one side for the time being. The various options are being put together and the Member States have given themselves one year, until the European December Council of 2013, which will be largely dedicated to defence, to find solutions to what is a real challenge. The challenge is a particularly delicate one as it will require a new balance for the Member States between their sovereignty and the need to invest jointly and to share certain critical capability. (JK/transl.fl)