Reduction in military spending has already begun. Most of the media avoid the matter but, in fact, EU countries are gradually and significantly reducing their armed forces and their military spending. Take Belgium, for example: the size of the army is likely to fall from 32,000 to 20,000 men and women. It is happening right now, the military bases at Ypres and Arlon are to be closed. Belgian soldiers are currently leaving Lebanon (to the regret of that country) and are ending their last UN mission. In the Netherlands, similar measures are taking place and it has been announced that implementation will be swift.
Reducing military spending is also under discussion in other member states, even though in France things would seem more complicated. In particular, the Mistral affair is far from being settled. Mr Putin has already sent out invitations to the ceremony marking the delivery of the first of the vessels ordered in France!
The European Commission, which does not directly concern itself with military spending, is opposed to financing the joint costs of EU operations which have military involvement. Review of the current Athena system for financing the costs of military operations is due to be discussed by the Foreign Affairs/Defence Council on 18 November.
The EU has not forgotten its beginnings. The necessary adjustments will no doubt take place without any difficulty in the member states and, no matter what, the effectiveness of NATO and the CSDP will not be affected. But current moves are an indication that European authorities and public opinion have not forgotten the significance and the fundamental objective of creation of European unity: ending for ever any conflict among the countries which were the source of two world wars last century. This mood is gaining ground, no matter how great or small the awareness is. Hitherto, united Europe has intervened quite often in conflicts, sometimes with negative results: it is gradually pulling back. The intervention of Europe is still very often sought; fortunately the EU is becoming increasingly reluctant. Public opinion and political authorities are broadly on the same page.
Nothing to do with conflicts currently taking place. At present, Europe is avoiding becoming involved in the vicious and ignoble conflicts in what used to be Syria, conflicts which are spilling over into neighbouring lands. Theoretically, there are four protagonists: Syria, the rebels, the Kurds and the so-called Islamic State (Daesh). In reality, the media on the ground speak of some thousand armed groups, most of which are no more than armed gangsters. Weapons and munitions sent by European countries or by the United States have fallen into the hands of Daesh, which has become a trafficker of the oil in the areas it takes over. The use of Islam in its name is purely a masquerade. We are well aware of the vagaries of the conflicts taking place at the moment, with the mix of races and territories claimed by this one and that.
Europe's role is not to take a position. It can provide aid and support to the people in hardship. However, becoming involved in conflicts as the EU is, in principle, finished. Not only in Syria and the surrounding region, but progressively everywhere.
(FR)