Athens, 13/01/2003 (Agence Europe) - Greece's Defence Minister Yannos Papantiou, who presented the priorities of the Greek Presidency for the first half of 2003 at a press conference in Athens, insisted on the need to strengthen the competitiveness of the European defence industry. In addition to measures taken in the research sector, mainly in the field of space and dual-use technologies, he urged for the creation of a real common defence market, with common rules and a European Armaments Agency (he recalled that such an agency had also been evoked by the European Convention). Although he recognises the fact that we are still far from a single market in the defence sector, Mr Papantoniou pointed out that he had discussed the matter with President Prodi and Commissioners Lamy (trade), Monti (competition), Liikanen (enterprise), Patten (external relations) and Bolkestein (internal market). He explained that this exchange of views has shown that the creation of a common market in this sector should not pose any major problems if competition rules are complied with, especially in order to avoid a trade dispute with the United States. Competitiveness of the European defence industry should appear on the agenda of the Spring European Council.
In answer to questions on the gap between the EU and the United States with regards investment and the capacity of Europeans to accept an increased defence effort, Mr Papantoniou recalled that the United States spends two and a half times more than the EU in this sector. In his view, it is, however, neither necessary nor feasible to bring the European capacity into line with US spending. Some Member States should nonetheless do more "if we want Europe to play a key role on the international scene", the minister said, stressing that the "EU is a union of values" and that it is necessary to have a "military force to defend and promote these values". In his view, we must spend a little, but not as much as the United States. Whereas the US devotes 3.5% of GNP to defence, and France and the United Kingdom between 2-2.5%, some Member States are below 1%, he recalled, considering that this could be brought up to an intermediary level.
On the subject of the Union's military capabilities, the Greek minister recalled that there are shortcomings, mainly in the transport and telecommunications sectors. Nineteen panels are working on how to make up these deficiencies, and the Presidency awaits their final reports for 1 March 2003. A capabilities conference should be held in May, in Athens or in Brussels, Mr Papantoniou said.
Stressing that the development of a political union also implies development of a defence policy, Mr Papantoniou said he shared the Franco-German ideas concerning the development of ESDP.