Brussels, 13/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - During an exchange of views held on Thursday 12 April at the parliamentary committee on foreign affairs, the German defence minister and president-in-office of the EU Council, Franz Josef Jung, took stock of European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). He called for there to be an overall civilian/military approach during EU operations, strengthened strategic partnerships with NATO and the UN, and for the EU's planning and operational capabilities to be developed. Mr Jung also said the question of the missile shield is due to be discussed at NATO and with Russia to provide protection for the whole of the European population against “state” and “non-state” threats. He called for diplomatic cooperation between Europe, the United States, China and Russia to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
On the subject of EU operations, Mr Jung stressed it was vital for ESDP that both civilian and military aspects should be taken into account. “Security requires a simultaneous civil and military effort. It is therefore important to have a global approach”, he said, citing the example of Afghanistan where the EU is preparing a police mission and where a number of member states are taking part in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). The minister said the EU was well on the way to this global approach which would make it possible to coordinate “security and reconstruction” through the EU's civilian missions. He also asserted that the EU was “stepping up its effort” so that the “proposals on the status of Kosovo” result in a compromise within the UN Security Council as soon as possible.
Franz Josef Jung pointed out that the two 1500-strong battlegroups made available to the EU by France and Belgium, on one hand, and by Germany, Finland and the Netherlands, on the other, are now operational. Both air and maritime elements of this European rapid reaction force will in time be bolstered (see EUROPE 9393). Stressing that preparations are underway for such strengthening, Mr Jung drew attention to the need to improve planning capability. In this context, the minister restated the support that the EU now gives to the African Union mission in Sudan (AMIS) where, in addition to financial support, the EU has deployed around 70 officers in planning and logistics units and where member states intervene to provide strategic airlift and transport for the transfer of troops between the various African states that belong to the African Union (AU). On this, Mr Jung restated the importance of strengthened cooperation between the EU, NATO and the UN. The minister also welcomed the development of European cooperation in the armaments sector in the context of the European Defence Agency (EDA).
Answering questions raised by MEPs, Mr Jung took a stance in favour of “strategic partnership” between the EU and NATO, ruling out any form of competition between the battlegroups and the NATO Response Force (NRF). Although this partnership must progress, he said, it is clear that “we must work together (…) rivalry is not the solution”. Returning to the situation in Afghanistan, the minister restated the important role that the EU plays, especially when civilian aspects and reconstruction are concerned. There is “distortion between what one sees in the media” and what is happening on the ground, he stressed. He also pointed out that efforts should be focused on “combating the drug economy”. “It is not a question of destroying the plantations but of finding alternatives to opium poppy growing”, he said at the end of the meeting.
On the subject of missile defence, Mr Jung placed emphasis on two aspects: the need to protect all European countries and the need to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The minister also stressed the need for “dialogue” involving the EU, the United States, Russia and China on the subject of Iran. “We must all make a diplomatic effort so that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons. Europe, the United States, China and Russia must work together”, he said. In response to questions by MEPs, Mr Jung acknowledged that the installation of elements of the American missile defence shield on Polish and Czech territory were bilateral matters but that missile protection at European level was important. He said the EU should be looked at as a whole, commenting that the American project will not protect the south of Europe. Hence the need to reach “consensus at European level”, to see what the consequences of this will be, and to consult with the United States. The matter must be discussed within NATO, between NATO and Russia, he explained to journalists after the meeting, in order “to come up with a protection shield for the whole of Europe”. (aby)