Brussels, 11/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Belgian Defence Minister André Flahaut, came to explain to the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Security Committee the six priorities of the Belgian Presidency in terms of defence. He first insists on the "operationality" of the EU in this area, by stating from the outset (as has already been done by Louis Michel before the same committee) that he hopes that the principal of guaranteed access for the EU to the NATO planning capabilities would be clarified before the Laeken Summit. Over the Turkish problem, which blocks the agreement with NATO, Mr Flahaut noted that efforts are underway to try and resolve it, while underlining that Turkey must know that the European desire to move forward in this policy exists, and that the blockage does not prevent the project from moving forward. I do not believe that the Union will be operational as of 2001, commented the British Liberal Democrat Mr Newton-Dunn, and Mr Flahaut replied: for the end of 2001, we are talking of the structure, while the date of 2003 remains valid for the capabilities. Though, added Mr Flahaut, it is important that there is a declaration in 2002, as this is an undertaking, which no doubt prevents from backtracking. As for the other priorities, Mr Flahaut outlined:
The military capabilities. The Belgian Presidency is organising next 19 November an "improving capabilities" conference, said Mr Flahaut. While recalling that European failings in terms of command and control, strategic transport and information, the Minister added that the Presidency does not hope to find a miracle solution for all the failings, but that it hopes to push forward the debate in a concrete manner. According to him, it would be logical, once this conference finished and the operationality of the Union declared, that the possibility of gathering EU defence Ministers in a formal Council be seriously envisaged. When answering Mr Salafranca, member of the Spanish Partido Popular, Mr Flahaut indicated that he could not put forward a date for such a meeting between defence Ministers, we were all in agreement to do so, but we must possibly, if you excuse the expression, diplomatically massage our colleagues from Foreign Affairs to convince them that this is not competition, but that we would like to bring a little efficiency to the defence aspect of ESDP, he asserted, when signalling that his French counterpart Alain Richard has "relatively concrete proposals on this issue". I have the feeling that, if not under the Belgian Presidency, it will no doubt take place under the Spanish Presidency (first quarter of 2002), noted Mr Flahaut. The British Labour member Mr Titley asked by what mechanism they could force the Member States to concretise their promises in terms of defence efforts: it seems to me that presently the only way, is peer pressure, it is not enough, he exclaimed. Though Mr Flahaut replied that until now the declarations have generally been followed by concrete facts. We see a process of convergence also with regards to the military budgets, and the relationship between equipment spending and for personnel shows that there is a certain movement towards fewer, but better equipped personnel, he pointed out.
The drafting of a European White Paper on defence. This title "remains provisional", and our only aim is to discuss the convergence as they emerge from a comparative study of the various documents published by the fifteen Member States, added Mr Flahaut, who announced an academic session on 3 and 4 October, in order to undertake the assessment of the existing convergence.
Public opinion. For Mr Flahaut, European defence policy will only reach maturity with the peoples' support. It will be a major concern throughout this half-year, he said.
The informing of parliamentary assemblies. Belgium intends maintaining intense contacts with the competence assemblies in terms of ESDP, at the national and European level, promised by Flahaut, who suggested a new meeting with the MEPs toward October, and that he also felt that it would be useful for them to develop contacts with other parliamentarians, American, Canadian and Russian for example, so that ESDP may be better understood.
The issue of health. Mr Flahaut raised (without citing the case of diseases and the deaths which could have been caused by the use in the Balkans of arms containing depleted uranium) the concerns that affect soldiers in foreign operations and the local peoples' in the conflict areas, when feeling that an exchange of information in this area could be useful.
Finally, Mr Flahaut announced the planned European centre for the destruction of munitions, and insisted on cooperation between the armed forces in the Member States and in terms of armaments, when signalling that, in June, Belgium had taken decisions in terms of military investments for a total amount of EUR 1.25 billion: - participation in the A400M programme; - acquisition of a transport ship with Luxembourg; - participation in the Helios satellite programme. Each of these decisions is part of the framework of European cooperation, he underlined.