14.12.2011.
Experiences of France in EU common security and defense policy
Head of the Department for EU Policy with the Delegation for Strategic Affairs of the Ministry of Defence of France Pierre-Michel gave a lecture today, "The experience of France in the EU common security and defense policy" in the Central Military Club, which was organized by the Serbian Ministry of Defense, the French Embassy in Belgrade and ISAC Fund.The meeting was opened by State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence Zoran Jevtic, who emphasized Serbia's efforts to increase the number of participants in peacekeeping missions around the world and especially the expansion of cooperation in the framework of the Common Security and Defence Policy.
He recalled that two members of the Serbian Armed Forces have started engagement this October as part of the French contingent in a ET military naval forces operation in Somalia. Forces in the EU operation in the country are engaged in, prevention and suppression of piracy activity and armed robberies along the coast of Somalia, ensuring timely and safe delivery of humanitarian aid.
Secretary of State Jeftic announced the departure of the team of the Serbian Armed Forces to Uganda, where he placed the training mission of the European Union, adding that next year's planned increase significantly the number of members of the Ministry of Defense and the Serbian Armed Forces in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and the European Union.Professor Pierre Michel’s expose began with a brief overview of the history of creation of the Common Security and Defence Policy. He pointed out that the crucial step in this regard was taken 13 years ago at a summit in St. Malo, when the community grew into a credible and effective factor in the international arena.
The best proof of that, said Michel, is the fact that today we have the EU participating seven military and 16 civilian-military/civilian operations on three continents. Professor Michel said that the most important results are those achieved in the field of crisis management, while the accomplishments in capacity building are somewhat lagging behind. Special efforts are invested in combating terrorism, weapons proliferation, resolving regional conflicts and combating organized crime.At the end of his presentation, Professor Michel spoke about the challenges EU is currently facing, giving priority to planning and building the security capacity of the EU, especially when it comes to training combat groups in tackling conflicts crisis areas. He also pointed out that the EU within the framework of developing partnership cooperation at European level particularly sees Serbia as a participant in the Common Security and Defence Policy.
