Brussels, 17/02/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 17 February, former European commissioner Michel Barnier was appointed Special Adviser on European Defence and Security Policy by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
During the Commission's previous mandate, Barnier was one of those who led the defence task force, and he supervised the Commission's communication on a more competitive and effective defence and security sector - which contains an action plan with initiatives in the areas of the internal market, industrial policy, research, capabilities, space, energy and international trade. The European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) thus made a strong return to the European agenda at the European Council in December 2013 (see EUROPE 10989) and an overview will be made at the June 2015 meeting of heads of state and government on implementing the decisions that were taken.
“Michel Barnier has vast experience in the field of defence and security and is the right man to advise me and also the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President Federica Mogherini on these important matters for the future of Europe”, which “cannot make do in the long term without at least some integrated defence capacities”, Juncker stated in a press release. The position Barnier is taking up is a part-time post and is not remunerated. (Jan Kordys)