Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-12-13-Speech-2-384-000"
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"en.20111213.29.2-384-000"2
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"Mr President, Baroness Ashton, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the pleasant and warm words on the report. I would simply like to say that this report is, of course, the result of joint efforts. It is the fruit not only of my work, but also of the work of many members of the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and of the shadow rapporteurs, with whom I cooperated very well. I wish to take this opportunity to thank them all from the floor of this House.
I welcome what Baroness Ashton has said, and I am glad that you, Baroness, the representatives of the Member States and the representatives of the Council all show a strong understanding of the problem, the needs, and of everything that relates to the common security and defence policy at the present time. This policy still represents a major challenge for us. I think that both you, Baroness, and the Council recognise that in the European Parliament, in the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, and in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, there is strong support for actions to promote joint work, joint activities by the Member States, activities aimed at increasing our efficiency in the field of security and defence.
All of you, I hope, are familiar with the statement by the US Secretary of Defence, Robert Gates, about our capabilities in the field of security and defence. This statement was initially met with much criticism, but that criticism was made only at the outset. Subsequently, it turned out that many European politicians, including many officials at the European institutions stated that alas, the US Secretary of Defence was largely right. We face a great challenge, regarding both reform of the common security and defence policy and, of course, good cooperation between the European Union and NATO. In particular, the European Union should focus on the search for synergies that allow its Member States to optimise their budgets.
The financial crisis, which is currently a major issue for Europe, is a global phenomenon and, of course, it also affects the defence sector. There is a tendency to reduce defence spending in the Member States, which is obviously a concern for us. It is true that maintaining defence spending in times of crisis, when faced with social needs, is not an easy task for those in authority and for politicians, but we believe – and I personally believe – that security and defence must not be ignored even in such a turbulent and difficult period for European finances.
In the report, I present several ways to optimise spending, suggesting how the means at our disposal, albeit slightly less than we had available before, could be spent in a better way, more appropriately, more effectively. Of course, what Baroness Ashton said is also true: the idea of ‘pooling and sharing’, connecting and sharing out functions has now become a necessity. This will make cost reductions possible. We must identify the most promising, strategic projects in this area, as soon as we can. They should definitely include strategic transport, logistical support, medical assistance, education, mid-air refuelling, maritime surveillance, protection and measures in cases of emergency arising from the use of chemical, biological and radiological weapons, satellite communications and intelligence. There are many fields where this idea of ‘pooling and sharing’ may be implemented effectively. The role of the European Defence Agency is inestimable in this context. It will determine how we can coordinate defence planning in Europe in the best possible way.
Another important issue I have dealt with is technological development. Here, too, we have identified many shortcomings. The report also addresses the question of defence equipment procurement, tenders, and many other issues. All these matters require thought and I am very glad that Baroness Ashton agrees that we should simply get down to work."@en1
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