Brussels, 06/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - The “defence” package presented by the European Commission on 5 December last year (EUROPE 9558) has just started what may become something of an obstacle race at the Council. During a meeting of the “Competitiveness and Growth” group, which was held on 25 January, the representatives of the Member States held an initial exchange of views on the three elements which make up this package: the directive organising public defence procurement, the directive on intra-community transfers of defence-related products and the Commission communication on the development of an industrial and technological defence base in Europe. This subject, which is both long-awaited and the cause of considerable concern, arouses passion on both sides, to the extent that the proposal most likely to change everyday life for the industry- the directive on intra-community transfers- has become a matter of great importance for various MEPs in the EPP-ED group, disputing the report on the subject. Two MEPs from two of the six major weapons producing countries, the Swedish MEP Charlotte Cederschiöld and the former French Culture Minister, Jacques Toubon, are among the ranks. The group will reach a decision next week.
In the Council, the initial exchange of views showed that this text, which may not only make life easier for the businesses, but also help to forge a more European culture whilst boosting the development of the industrial and technological defence base in Europe, still gives rise to many concerns among the national governments. The intervention of the European Commission in a sector which has hitherto been the private reserve of a small number of civil servants, is a matter of concern- first and foremost in France, where the proposal came in for serious criticism even before it was adopted. This, however, came as no surprise, given that the French representative had contested the legal basis (article 95 of the treaty) from the very first meeting. But others are also raising questions about the legitimacy of the Commission in this field: the United Kingdom, Spain, Sweden, Ireland and Austria in particular (for the details, see our bulletin Europe Diplomacy & Defence).
The other two texts are likely to come up against far fewer difficulties. The German Liberal Alexander Lambsdorff has been appointed rapporteur for the committee on the internal market on the directive on public defence procurement. (O.J.)