State Ownership In The European Defense Industry - by Avascent

Europe's modern-day industrial base Has Its origins in the European nation-states, Which Took early interest in, and control of Eventual, icts destiny. Yet, the passing of kings and sovereigns, the wide end of continental wars, and the dismantling of cross-border Trade Barriers Have done little to transform state Attitudes Toward what the French still Refer to as "sovereign powers." According to Avascent year analysis of Europe's top defense companies, state participation Remains remarkably high across MOST of the continent.

EU approves EU mission training Malian army

BRUSSELS - The European Ministers of Foreign Affairs on Thursday approved the establishment of the EU mission to form and rearrange the Malian army, it was learned from European sources.

This decision, taken at a special ministerial meeting to discuss the crisis in Mali, aims to deploy some 450 Europeans, 200 instructors, from mid-February as part of this mission EUTM called.

The schedule was accelerated from a few weeks to take into account the new situation created by the French military intervention launched last Friday.

Upon arrival at the meeting, the French minister, Laurent Fabius, considered normal that European solidarity is expressed. It should be understood that although France is precursor, all European countries are involved in terrorism, he said to the press.

In addition to the European Commission, Mr Fabius said wait until all of the European countries make efforts on financial plans, including the operation to help troops intervened countries in West Africa, and for development of Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world.

Several ministers, including Germany and Spain have expressed their support for various measures presented.

European exports of arms

To improve the transparency around the arms trade, European countries have committed to publish their export figures and the name of the recipient countries. France appears to be the first European exporter and the first recipient of the weapons produced by its EU partners. The Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security (GRIP) issued in December 2012, a short summary about the main highlights of the year 2011.

The cumulative sum of arms exports by countries of the European Union reached 38 billion euros in 2011 (against 31 in 2010 and 40 in 2009). Descending France was the largest exporter by value (with nearly 10 billion revenue in exports) followed by the United Kingdom (EUR 7 billion) followed by Germany (5 billion euros). Weapons are exported to nearly 40% within the European Union, more than 20% to the Middle East, 10% in North America and 9% to South Asia. France is the first buyer of European equipment with 4 billion of expenditure (11.3% of exports of the Member States), followed

Call for EU to avoid the use of force in Central and dialogue

Through the voice of its High Representative for Foreign Affairs, the European Union (finally) responded on the first day of 2013, "the continuing crisis in the Central African Republic." This is a call for dialogue has wanted to launch Catherine Ashton. "It is essential that all parties are committed to the way of resolve peacefully through dialogue and negotiation, the remaining differences. "Without qualifying the" conflict "in progress, the EU calls" also (all parties) to engage a avoid the use of force for political purposes and in particular to protect civilians in areas under their control. "

Attention to the respect of human rights

No action is announced immediately. But the EU Appeals to "authorities to take all necessary measures to put, without delay, an end to all acts of violence being committed against the people in the neighborhoods of Bangui and compromise the chances of a dialogue pacifies ". And the point of "respect for human rights" as "a fundamental value of the European Union and (...) an essential element of the Cotonou Agreement" has as a warning value subliminal. He recalled that European cooperation can be suspended if necessary. Pending.

European Initiatives in the Maritime Environment

Under the auspices of the Cyprus EU Presidency, the European Defence Agency together with the Cypriot Ministry of Defence organised a seminar on European initiatives in the maritime environment on 18 and 19 October. The seminar aimed at highlighting the need to address the future capacity of Europe to act, taking into account the requirement for appropriate maritime assets within the current financial climate and the need for identification of civil-military synergies.

Maritime security and defence is of high importance for Europe as highlighted by the Council conclusions on Maritime Security Strategy (26 April 2010) and the Commission’s Green paper “Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union” (7 June 2006). Maritime Security could be considered as three separate pillars of knowledge, regulations and capacity to act.

In the opening speech of the seminar, Mr Demetris Eliades, Cyprus Minister of Defence, highlighted Cyprus’ aim to contribute towards the maintenance of safe navigation, the protection of sea-lines and maritime transportation, in order to enhance security, which would allow maritime nations to make the best use of their maritime wealth and capacities. During the seminar, discussions focused on a strategic approach in the maritime security domain and several supportive actions were presented. Ideas for new Pooling & Sharing initiatives were also identified