Brussels, 18/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - Among the myriad subjects for discussion at the European summit on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 December Defence Europe stands out both in terms of the length of the conclusions document on this subject and the fact that the last time defence was discussed at a European summit was back in 2008. In the meantime, the financial and economic crisis arrived and made defence spending one of the first areas of collateral damage in budget cuts, thus weakening still further a European industry that was already fragmented and losing competitiveness. It is precisely the latter two problems that the European Council will try to address, by boosting both the European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and preparing common capability projects that breathe new life into the industrial and technological basis of European defence (EDTIB).
The conclusions document to be examined by the heads of state and/or government on Thursday 19 December, just before lunch, have been drawn up in a painstaking process over the past year at the EU institutions and the member states. Running through the reflection is the importance of the EU's being able to assume its responsibilities in peace-keeping and security. To this end, it must have adequate civilian and military measures and in order to achieve the “strategic autonomy” target, the European Council should provide impetus for a three-pronged approach to action.
Boosting the efficiency, visibility and impact of CSDP. The EU currently deploys twelve civilian and four military operations around the world under CSDP. Nearly all the missions have in common the fact that their deployment was a real battle. The “rapidly and effectively”. Among the ideas mooted is reform of how missions are financed, including a review of the Athena mechanism for financing the common costs and amendments of certain procedures. In theory, since 2007 the EU has had a rapid reaction force provided on a rotating basis by the member states, but it has never been deployed (although several potential opportunities have come up) due to the constant refusal of a member state and the lack of common finance. The European Council will examine a number of ways that the rapid reaction force can be made operable and is expected to ask the EU to adjust to the new security challenges of cyber defence, energy security and maritime safety (adopting a common strategy by June 2014). Ideas will be mooted for improving the cooperation between CSDP and home security players, particularly when it comes to illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism.
Boosting the development of capabilities. For several years now, Europe has been facing gaps in its capabilities, several of which are described as critical. At a time when virtually no member state is able to fill the capability gaps by itself, the European Council is expected to encourage the development of multinational programmes, with the support of the European Defence Agency (EDA). Four domains have been identified - air-to-air refuelling capacity; remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS); governmental satellite communication; and cyber defence. The European Council should give real support for drones, opening up the prospect of a European MALE drone for 2020-2025. These big capability projects should not hide the fact, however, that the main challenge is cooperation within the EU. To encourage better cooperation, the European Council should ask the EDA to establish a framework to encourage the convergence of national defence planning processes.
Boosting the European defence industry. More than any other sector, the European defence industry is fragmented and has difficulty against the power of its US competitor. “Strengthening Europe's defence industry, enhancing the development of capabilities and increasing the effectiveness, visibility and impact of CSDP” is a challenge that must be taken up at a number of levels. The European Council “stresses the importance of ensuring the full and correct implementation of the two defence directives of 2009, inter alia with a view to opening up the market for subcontractors from all over Europe, ensuring economies of scale and allowing a better circulation of defence products”. “The European Defence agency and the Commission will prepare a roadmap for the development of defence industrial standards by mid-2014, without duplicating existing standards. Together with the Commission and member states, the EDA will also develop a European military certification approach and produce options for increasing the mutual recognition of military certification between EU member states”. Finally, the European Council should support the mobilisation of the EU's framework programme Horizon 2020 for dual-use research and the introduction of a future preparatory action for research into the needs of the CSDP. (JK/OJ/transl.fl)