Words from Munich (February 16 to 18, 2018)
(B2) The Munich Security Conference has become one of the forums for expressing the situation of the world and security. Of course, many of the remarks at this conference were calibrated to respond to the latest American statements on the relationship between NATO and the EU (read: The United States undermines the strategic autonomy of Europe with a slogan: not without us!). But it is all the international crises, in Syria, Iran, North Korea and in Europe (Brexit, Shoah) that also animated the debates.
Europe and NATO
The need for a common strategic culture
« I believe that we also need a PESCO in foreign policy and a common strategic culture. " It is necessary " a global and networked pact for security. Although the military makes a significant contribution to the resolution of crises and conflicts, there is no purely military shortcut to a stable and long-term peace order. ». Ursula von der Leyen (German Defense Minister).
Europe is not a luxury
« In this new world that is being born in pain, Europe is not a luxury: it is a necessity ". " We must develop our institutions, the success of European defense will not come from institutions, but from operations. [...] It is a matter of creating a common strategic culture among Europeans. [...] It should not be a concept, but a practice. » Florence Parly (French Defense Minister).
The European Intervention Initiative
The European Intervention Initiative – presented by Emmanuel Macron – will enable Europeans to deal with threats in their immediate neighbourhood” including when the United States or the Alliance wishes to be less involved ". Which supposes a strategic autonomy ", that is to say " an ability to intervene without forcing the United States to come to our bedside, without them diverting their ISR [reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence] assets or their tankers from other missions, elsewhere » Florence Parly (French Defense Minister). Read : European Response Initiative gears up for summer
Europe without operations is a subject of a symposium
« If the Europe of Defense is not accompanied by a greater operational commitment of the Member States, it will long remain a subject of colloquium. [...] If Europe is not interested in war, war will certainly be interested in Europe » Edouard Philippe (French Prime Minister)
The Atlantic Alliance, the ideal deterrent
“NATO and the Transatlantic Alliance are the crucial deterrent that keeps Europe secure. We would never have cooperated in PESCO if we had felt that it would duplicate NATO » Juri Luik (Estonian Defense Minister).
A Europe needs a bit of hard power
« Sometimes the soft power is not strong enough. Europe needs more strength in foreign affairs, security and defence. [...] We must emancipate ourselves. But we are not freeing ourselves against NATO and not against the United States. » Jean-Claude Juncker (President of the European Commission).
Veto on foreign policy decisions and strong power
« To be able to speak decisively with one voice, the European Union must simplify internal decision-making. The Treaty provides for the possibility of switching from unanimity to qualified majority voting for certain questions of foreign policy » Jean-Claude Juncker (President of the European Commission).
«As European defense budgets grow, we must be careful to spend efficiently and focus our research on the challenges ahead, bearing in mind that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work » Jorge Domecq (Director of the European Defense Agency)
European crises
Brexit: no new referendum
« We are leaving the European Union, there will not be a second referendum. » Theresa May (British Prime Minister). Read also: A major EU-UK security agreement in 2019. Join us in the decisions, we will pay, promises Theresa May
Poland and the Holocaust
About the new Polish law criminalizing the expression "Polish death camps". " VSIt will not be punishable, it will not be considered criminal to say that there were Polish culprits, just as there were Jewish culprits, Russian culprits, Ukrainian culprits, and not only German culprits. . “We will not condemn those who say Poles killed Jews. But know that Poland was the only country where citizens were killed by the Nazis for helping Jews. » Tomasz Morawiecki (Polish Prime Minister).
International crises
North Korea: putting pressure on the regime
« We must put pressure on the Kim regime, using all the tools available » HR McMaster (United States National Security Advisor).
Syria: the fear of an explosion
« Never in four years have we seen major countries engage militarily directly inside Syria. This has led to incidents and this is worrying. [...] We hope that these countries will continue to show themselves responsible, because otherwise the situation could spiral out of control. » Staffan de Mistura (UN special envoy for Syria).
« I believe that two states for two peoples is in Israel's interest. I believe that we must be the one who initiates the negotiations. It is no secret that the Prime Minister and I have different opinions on this issue. I believe that the security of Israel and the need to keep the values of the Jews and of a democratic state compel us to move in this direction, and I hope that we will find a partner on the other side » Tzipi Livni (former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel).
Words for the image
Is this your drone?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu brandished a piece of an Iranian drone, shot down over Israeli territory last week, asking Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, also present in Munich, if he " recognize it ". " Don't Test Israel's Resolvel” he added.
A European aspiration for Ukraine
The President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko came to the Munich conference with the European flag with which Ukrainian soldiers were fighting for Avdyivka, and a request for continued support for Ukraine's reforms and European aspirations.
(words observed and formatted by Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
Download :
- l'agenda of the Munich conference
- la list of participants
- le report submitted at the conference
