Policy or Project? France, Germany, and EU Defense

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Series Details 02.08.16
Publication Date 02/08/2016
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Shortly after the British vote to leave the European Union on 23 June 2016, the French and German foreign ministers produced a joint statement reaffirming their countries’ strong commitment to the EU. Among other things, they called for a 'European Security Compact' to beef up the EU’s contribution to international security, including with military means, as well as to improve the union’s ability to tackle internal security threats such as terrorism.

However, even though France and Germany agree on much on paper, differences in their respective strategic cultures may hinder the progress and effectiveness of their proposals, especially on EU defence.

Whatever may result from their joint initiatives on EU defence, neither France nor Germany wishes to undermine NATO, which they both want to retain as the primary military guarantor of European security.

Source Link http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=64222
Related Links
ESO: Background information: White Paper on German Security Policy and the Future of the Bundeswehr [The 2016 White Paper], July 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/white-paper-on-german-security-policy-and-the-future-of-the-bundeswehr-the-2016-white-paper-july-2016/
ESO: Background information: France and Germany to Europe’s Rescue? http://www.europeansources.info/record/france-and-germany-to-europes-rescue-german-parliament-approves-anti-is-bundeswehr-mission-in-syria/
Germany: Federal Foreign Office: News, 27.06.16: A strong Europe in a world of uncertainties https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Europa/Aktuell/160624-BM-AM-FRA_ST.html
Spiegel Online International, 01.09.16: [Opinion]: German Caution, French Decisiveness. How Brexit Affects EU Defence Policy http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/jean-marie-guehenno-on-european-defense-after-brexit-a-1110352.html
EUObserver, 12.09.16: France and Germany propose EU 'defence union' https://euobserver.com/foreign/135022
Blog: BlogActiv: EU-Logos, 12.10.16: Will the European Union have an army? The return of the Franco-German alliance https://eulogos.blogactiv.eu/2016/10/12/will-the-european-union-have-an-army-the-return-of-the-franco-german-alliance/
ECFR: Commentary, 20.10.16: European Defence: This time, could they really mean it? http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_european_defence_this_time_could_they_really_mean_it7154

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