Diego de Ojeda, head of unit at the European Commission responsible for coordinating the implementation of foreign, security and defence policy, told MEPs that there are many obstacles to the emergence of a European defence, including a certain reluctance on the part of industry, during an exchange with the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy on Thursday 21 April.
“The willingness of the private sector to cooperate on defence is lower than in other sectors”, said the European official, responding to MEPs on the implementation of the various initiatives (see EUROPE 12897/11 and 12916/11). “Because these are security sensitivities, and there are many factors that push towards to maintain national fragmentation on the European Defence Market, if I may put it that way”, the official said.
The European official said that the implementation of the civil-defence synergy strategy may take time, as particularly detailed and complex technology roadmaps need to be developed.
Mr de Ojeda took a clear look at the situation. “Let’s hope that the EU Member States will remain at peace with all their neighbours, but we need to be prepared for the alternative scenario - and we are not prepared - and we must urgently do so”, the official said. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)