6 minute read
Wolfgang Hellmich MP, Berlin
Transatlantic cooperation and Germany’s White Paper
(BSC/Wolfgang Hellmich MP*) The international community is currently confronted with huge problems and challenges in the field of foreign and security policy. In 2014, more than 460 conflicts were raging worldwide, including on our very doorstep. The Ukraine-Russia conflict, the advance of the Islamic State terrorist organisation in Syria and Iraq, the Ebola epidemic, the refugee crisis in Europe and hybrid warfare all pose major challenges for our political action. This arc of tension is so wide-reaching that no state today can deal with the crises on its own. In reaction to the developments in Ukraine, the NATO heads of state and government decided at the beginning of September 2014 to improve their military capabilities and responsiveness. Following its Wales Summit NATO faces a process of adaptation. Alliance defence has moved back up to the top of the NATO agenda, military forces are again gaining importance. The EU has started the process of overhauling the European Security Strategy and Germany, like several of its partners, is reviewing its basic strategic texts. Embedding our foreign and security policy in multilateral, cooperative and supranational structures is and will remain a key objective for Germany. European and transatlantic security is inextricably linked: as the European Union evolves it must therefore also foster the EU-NATO strategic partnership as a crucial factor for the further development of its security policy. The transatlantic partnership remains indispensable for our security: but how can we ensure that Europe becomes a strategic partner on an equal footing? Further development of the Common European Security and Defence Policy
The Common European Security and Defence Policy, for a time overshadowed by the financial and debt crisis and at a standstill, is now once again taking centre stage. But if Europe wishes in future to make its voice heard in the foreign policy arena and to contribute effectively to increasing peace and freedom all over the world, then we must make a vigorous effort to further develop the CESDP. Our path must lead away from a security and defence policy geared to national considerations and take us, through a strengthening of cooperation and an integration of defence policy instruments, towards a European defence union.
For that purpose Europe needs to conduct an intensive strategic dialogue on its interests, aims and means. We must be clear about what the European Union can and must achieve in the area of security policy. The civil, military, diplomatic, economic and financial policy areas must come together in a common framework that is viable for the future. In order to shape a more effective CSDP in a context of tighter budgets we need to launch initiatives that deliver clear added value for the participating states as well as for the EU as a whole. I think we must be prepared – however hard this may be – step by step to give the EU the same sovereignty in the field of security and defence policy as we have given it in other policy areas.
The building of a European defence union will be another major symbol for Europe. We shall be guided in our reform efforts by the goal of a European army, the ideal of the European citizen in uniform. As of now we must adhere to the aim of common European military forces and study what common action we can take along the path towards that objective. We must seize the opportunities offered by the Lisbon Treaty provisions on Permanent Structured Cooperation in order to deepen defence cooperation within the EU. A major step towards more commonality is to develop the interoperability of all the forces within the EU and NATO so as to enable their effective deployment.
The Weimar Triangle states’ proposals for reforming the EU battlegroups set an example here.
The integration of Europe’s armed forces has already begun. Over the past few years there have been many positive examples of closer cooperation among the EU partners, including, in some cases, within NATO. Nonetheless we can and must do more, for example: » Creation of an independent Ministerial Council for military issues (Council of Defence Ministers) within the EU; » Creation of a Defence Committee within the European Parliament; “A major step towards more commonality is to develop the interoperability of all the forces within the EU and NATO so as to enable their effective deployment.”
» Creation of a naval HQ for the Baltic Sea area; » Creation of a European military academy or university; » Development of the European Gendarmerie Force; » Joint implementation of future defence projects; » Creation of a European HQ for the command of civil and military operations.
For the future development of a common policy it is impor
tant for parliaments, for parliamentarians, to seek to engage in
a direct dialogue: more dialogue will lead to more commonali
ty and common understanding!
Sigmar Gabriel, in his keynote address on 10 March 2012 at
the 8 th Petersberg security talks, said: “If we wish still to have
then we must be prepared to harmonise our security and defence policy objectives”. Nothing more needs to be said.
White Paper process
In this changed context the German Government has launched the process of drawing up a White Paper in order to clearly define Germany’s security interests. It entails an analysis of the situation and capability profile of the Bundeswehr in order to pinpoint areas in need of adjustment, bearing in mind that we have entered into commitments vis-à-vis NATO and the EU regarding our contribution as alliance partners and that we must fully live up to our promises. There are also requirements on the part of the United Nations, whose importance we wish to strengthen. Our alliance partners quite rightly expect us to be reliable.
In drawing up this White Paper I think it is important for us to deal with the issues of hybrid warfare and cyber security, not only in workshops but also beyond. The latter theme in particular illustrates the way in which modern technologies have removed territorial boundaries. I am pleased to see not
The NATO Summit 2014 working session on Afghanistan began with an opening ceremony featuring a military serviceman of each nation, paying tribute to ISAF.
Photo: U.K. Government, Ieuan Berry
only experts from the political parties and scientific circles being called upon to participate in this process, but also the public at large. However, we need to do even better in this respect if we are to gain greater acceptance for our security and defence policy objectives.
In my view it is important to launch a nation-wide, comprehensive and coordinated process in order to draw up a security concept that includes political and diplomatic initiatives as well as economic, development, police, humanitarian and military measures. All relevant ministerial departments as well as Parliament must also be involved.
Allow me, finally, to thank the organisers for making the transatlantic partnership the central theme of this Congress: I look forward to some very stimulating discussions!
*Wolfgang Hellmich MP, Chairman of the Defence Committee, German Bundestag, and Member of the Advisory Board BSC 2015
