European DEFence NETwork and its future

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Cody Thornton
5 years ago
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1 European DEFence NETwork and its future Relations between environment and defence at the EU level French Ministry of Defence Legal Affairs Department Mr. Olivier LANDOUR Director of International and European Law Chairman of DEFNET

2 In Summary 1. Promoting Defence interests at EU level means for the defence community to integrate the EU system 2. Things are moving at EU level : the Defence Task force 3. The toolbox for a better integration Official channels remain the first one DEFNET produces results and has to be reinforced Imagine other tools for the future

3 European policies widely impact Defence activities Defence CSDP Others European policies (environment, energy, social issues, trade, procurements ) 2013 French Strategic Defence Review

4 1. Promoting Defence interests at EU level means for the defence community to integrate the EU system (1) Assert systematically Defence interests at the earliest stage in the EU decision-making process Concretely (among others) = Promoting a paragraph on Defence in every Impact Assessment carried out by the Commission Developing more regular contacts between Commission and MoDs (and Defence industries) on current and future EU policies Strengthen relationships

5 1. Promoting Defence interests at EU level means for the defence community to integrate the EU system (2) Defence-related reasons Complex, variable Defence structures and interests within the EU Large fields and cross-cutting areas concern Defence (environment, energy, transfers, health ) Defence sector means also defence industries Defence exemption is traditionally the most used instrument : is this always the best one? Anticipate Upstream management Convince internally

6 1. Promoting Defence interests at EU level means for the defence community to integrate the EU system (3) EU-related reasons Defence issues remain unclear for the EU : dialogue EU timing is different : explanation in the EU Defence community The Commission wants more and more justification for exemptions : data sharing Reactivity External pedagogy Mutual discussion

7 2. Things are moving at EU level : the Defence Task force Through the defence industrial and internal market fields the debate is engaged within the Commission The Commission s Task force on Defence Industries and Markets (Commissioners Barnier and Tajani) Energy and Environment (= sustainable development) are concerned Member States must capitalize on this political input

8 3. The toolbox for a better integration Official channels remain the first tool MoDs have to find their right place to be influent (ex. French inter agency coordination) DEFNET produces results and has to be reinforced (energy efficiency directive, ship dismantling for example) Thanks to NL + Germany and others for the great input in DEFNET Other countries involvement must increase Flexibility is required

9 3. The toolbox for a better integration : the current system EU Strategy Commission initiative adoption Commission + Council WG Legislative procedure Council + EP Official channels DEFNET among others Official positions Influence as a stakeholder Data exchange to support national positions

10 3. The toolbox for a better integration : what future tools? Commission s working groups framework Intended to complement the existing tools and to strengthen Defence influence May bring flexibility as well as automaticity in the EU law-making process (all revisions [REACh, NATURA 2000 ] and new EU regulations may be concerned) = mentioned into the draft communication on defence industries Has to be proposed by the Commission itself, but national signals are necessary

11 3. The toolbox for a better integration : the future system? EU Strategy Commission initiative adoption Commission + Council WG Legislative procedure Council + EP Official channels Commission defence working groups on environment and energy Technical advising DEFNET among others

12 Thank you for your attention Questions?

Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above meeting.

Delegations will find attached the conclusions adopted by the European Council at the above meeting. European Council Brussels, 14 December 2018 (OR. en) EUCO 17/18 CO EUR 22 CONCL 7 NOTE From: General Secretariat of the Council To: Delegations Subject: European Council meeting (13 and 14 December 2018)