Much talked about, European defence is basically the expression of an ambition within the wider framework of the building of the European Union. It can take pride in some tangible achievements, notably in the field, and it has led to some industrial collaboration. None the less, it cannot be considered as a fixed star in the firmament since it is constantly evolving within the dynamic perspective which is Europe. Providing that some institutional uncertainties can be resolved, and that complementarity with NATO acquires real meaning, it can only become stronger, based on what is already in place and on the contribution it can make to the peace and security of the Continent.
What is European Defence?
What is European defence–a facile linguistic term or a tangible reality? What are its achievements, what are the challenges it faces? Have the negative French and Dutch referendum results dealt it a death blow? And what does France expect of it, given that our country has always considered itself as one of the driving forces in the construction of a Europe which respects our identity whilst acting as a guarantor of peace on its territory, and as a ‘force multiplier’?
This article suggests some answers to these questions.
European Defence: Primarily an Ambition and a Concept
Ambition
It is an ambition, at least for those states which consider that Europe should be more than a mere free-trade area, with a set of common external tariffs and a few harmonised policies (notably in the agricultural area), that it should gradually be able to express all its potential in areas other than trade, and that it should be capable of rising to the defence of a communal project based on certain values and interests (democracy, the rule of law, the market economy, a high level of social security and the will to promote peace and stability throughout the world.)
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