The consequences of the EU enlargement on the European policy of defense : the impacts on the transatlantic relations

Extraits de l'exposé

[...] As opposed to what one can believe, we are probably very far from a unique citizenship and identity. The building of Europe takes a direction compared to the formation of Belgium, the Italian and the German unity. We see that Belgium continues to be divided into great entities. Spain also divides. The same applies to the United Kingdom, with the Welsh or Scottish problems. There is thus currently a tendency to decentralization via the creation of territorial capacities. The weight of the States decreases while the weight of the local entities increases. [...]

[...] Finally I will discuss the new transatlantic relations that may appear with the enlargement. I. The development of the European defense policy During the Cold War, the security in Europe was beard by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), that is to say an alliance within the US were predominant. From this situation we can deduce that the security policy in Europe has not been built only by European countries but results mainly from a transatlantic relationship. However, the perspective of a European defense policy was born before the apparition of NATO. [...]

[...] I believe that both organization wish to get closer with Russia and encourage constant and flourished relations with this country. Nevertheless there should not be any kind of competition between the two organizations to seduce Russia. I think that they should not have the same expectations from this partnership. Toward a collective defense With hindsight, the consequences of NATO and the EU enlargements will have at first a negative impact. The strong differences in military and political sectors should be considered as a weakness and the will have difficulties to fulfill their tasks[10]. [...]

[...] The European Councils in Cologne in June 1999 and Helsinki in December 1999 redefined the European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP). The councils also specified that NATO was still the basis of the collective defense of its members, and that ESDP and NATO were complementary. The ESDP's framework I will briefly describe the military and civilian capacities that have been created to implement an efficient ESDP.[2] This part will present the tools and attributes that enable Europe to coordinate a common foreign policy and to organize operations out of its borders. [...]

[...] It is sure that it will affect the transatlantic relationship. We may wonder if reinforcing the ESDP and improving transatlantic relations are compatible objectives. The role of NATO and the EU in shaping a new security community Since the disappearance of the external threat, NATO's main tasks have been reoriented ?from deterrence or the defense of Western nations against aggression from the East to stability in Europe and cooperation between the United States and European states on broader security matters?[9]. [...]