With the British, an internationally well-networked Nation leaves the EU with a powerful army and a legendary intelligence service. What does this mean for the EU in times of the global Arms race?
Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of Munich security conference
A murmur goes through the room, as Wolfgang Ischinger opened the Munich security conference (MSC). The formally correct-clad former Diplomat wears a bright blue hoodie, on the chest and the yellow stars of the EU flag emblazoned. A star but a nod to the Brexit is missing. It is no coincidence that the German Minister of defence Ursula von der Leyen, and the British defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson riding together with Ischinger, the kick-off in Munich. The Reflection on Europe’s security after the Brexit has begun.
The missing star
Williamson laughs about the Sweater with the missing star – and assured that “our commitment to the European security remains unshakable. We have already taken care of long before the creation of a European Union or of NATO for European security. And we will deliver it long after Leaving the EU.”
His German colleague emphasized that Germany and the UK security are a political “shoulder-to-shoulder”: “We put in the NATO and in the European Union’s genuine partnership,” says Ursula von der Leyen. “Our partnership is not based on domination. It creates no political or economic dependence. Our partnership makes us strong, because it strengthens its own sovereignty.”
Ursula von der Leyen speaks to the MSC in 2019, with the German wave
It is understood that the British EU-exit security is politically not a trifle. In London were heard in the last months receivables from the ranks of the Brexiteers, the UK should play to his defense of political weight as a trump card in the exit negotiations. The submitted commitments to the threat of withdrawal of Assistance. But this card stood out, because the British feel the NATO is strongly committed.
“Nato is more important today than ever before, because an old enemy is back,” says Gavin Williamson on the stage in Munich. “Russia remains a threat to our security.” His colleague Ursula von der Leyen sees the same: “That Togetherness makes you stronger, finally, on the INF Treaty.” It is true, emphasizes the German defense Minister that NATO have condemned the Russian breach of the Treaty, and “that we make it clear that we need to respond to the increased danger, the Russian weapons mean for us in Europe.”
The British as a blocker in the EU
Many observers even assume that London will have to engage in the military Alliance is now stronger than in the past to brace himself against the course of the U.S. government under Donald Trump, the estimates of the NATO are of little value and multiple doubts about America’s loyalty to the Alliance.
However, for the EU-the Brexit will undoubtedly have consequences. “We lose a certain Think, a military-pragmatic Thinking, that is not otherwise present in the EU,” says Karl-Heinz Kamp, President of the Federal Academy for security policy, the DW. The cradle in the long term, heavier than everything else.
Archive image: This British soldier, was stationed in may of 2018, in the Westphalian town of Minden
A counter-position of the German EU represents official Sabine Weyand. She has co-negotiated in a leading position in the EU-Team of the exit agreement – the contract that is in the British Parliament. “In the Foreign, security and defence policy, the consequences of Brexit are limited,” says Weyand. Finally, the UK had by almost all of the common EU policies in these fields have always been kept away. This Brussels point of view, share those who remember how the British in the EU-composite-blocked over the years, all the efforts of the Europeans to come to the security policy.
The secret services just make more
How to do it the future, has also the Chancellor. A few days ago, Angela Merkel opened the new Berlin Headquarters of the German foreign intelligence service BND. For the Federal intelligence service, the cooperation with the British, remain important, “regardless of the current debate on Brexit”.
In Munich, the heads of the foreign intelligence services of Germany, France and great Britain were on the edge of the MSC, together with a background conversation. The three spy chiefs had a message. It was delivered by the chief of the British service MI-6, Alex Younger: “We will not only maintain the cooperation that we have already built, but we go further and provide us with the new threats.”
What is true for the national level and there also works, does not apply to the European Union. Try to create in the future a powerful risk prevention – such as through the establishment of a European secret service – added the Brexit a serious setback. But in return, the Brits could lose by leaving the EU security policy scope, especially in the armaments cooperation.
Billion for the armor research
The EU wants to establish a defence Union and has applied to, among other things, a Fund. In the EU-pots of around 4.1 billion euros of research funding available in the next few years for the defense industry. Now the rules of this defence Fund, that’s why companies and Research groups can apply that are located in at least three EU member States or in associated countries. For companies from third countries, access is difficult.
The British defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson
Politically the United Kingdom is, traditionally, the closest European allies of the United States. Even in times of severe transatlantic tensions in the wires between Washington and London were always intact – for the Benefit of all in Europe. However, what is now, as the feeling of increasing TRANS-Atlantis makes alienation more and more capitals of Europe? The British Minister of defence, Williamson is in Munich, Germany by look, which could play a diplomatic balancing act on his country.
Kisses goodbye
Compared to Russia, and in the control of nuclear weapons, it is to be a “Unity,” he says. However, it is precisely in the question of how the West will react now, after Russia broke the INF Treaty banning land-based medium-range missiles, Washington and the Europeans are still far from a common Position.
After the discussion, there is a goodbye cheek kisses from Gavin Williamson, Ursula von der Leyen. The message of the two is to three quarters of an hour on the MSC-Podium clear: Germany and the United Kingdom try to make security policy from the challenge called Brexit for the Best.