The representative of the European External Action Service, Thierry Boucher, announced on Monday 3 December that the proposal on a European Peace Facility would be discussed in January.
“I expect the text [of the proposal] to be discussed in January”, he explained to the European Parliament's subcommittee on Security and Defence. He said he expected “lengthy discussions and negotiations on each article of the proposal” between Member States.
The proposal, presented on 13 June by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (see EUROPE 12040), has so far, according to Mr Boucher, been discussed only on its ‘raison d'être’ or in connection with other subjects such as the African Facility, and not on its substance.
The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to vote on 21 February on the Parliament’s recommendation to the Council and to the High Representative on the proposal, led by Hilde Vautmans (ALDE, Belgium).
The debate, which was very rapid due to the absence of a very large number of MEPs, was marked by a showdown between Sonya Reines-Djivanides, of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), and Arnaud Danjean (EPP, France). The latter criticised Mrs Reines-Djivanides for making a statement of intent towards the European Peace Facility. The Executive Director of EPLO had expressed concern about a possible lack of control. She called for parliamentary scrutiny and safeguards. “How can we say that risks are actually measured? Do the people who will be monitoring [this Facility] have any experience”? she asked. “I have never seen, in 10 years of office, decisions taken without supervision, without guarantees”, replied Mr Danjean. Mrs Vautmans also said that it was necessary to guarantee the control of the equipment.
For his part, Mr Boucher wanted to reassure. He recalled that any decision should be taken unanimously, which was in itself a guarantee, and that, due to the sensitivities of some Member States, the sending of arms or ammunition, if it should take place, should not happen often. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)