We begin to see a little more clearly what it means to be the revival of the Franco-German defense, announced by President Hollande during his press conference on January 14. German soldiers of the Franco-German Brigade (BFA) and should soon join Mali to serve in the EUTM-Mali , the EU mission training Malian army. Certainly the Germans involved since the launch of the mission , including the training of engineers and medical support. In addition, Germany provides air support for the UN force (Minusma) from Senegal.
However, the Berlin decision to commit troops to the BFA is symbolic, especially since their mission could be extended in particular missions EUTM-Mali “force protection” that Germany had refused Last year, in a context of much tighter security. Two units of the BFA are concerned, the 292nd Jägerbataillon Donaueschingen and 295th Artilleriebataillon of Immendigen, as indicated by the Süddeutsche Zeitung .
The French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who goes to Mali on Sunday and Monday, is expected to discuss the matter with his new German counterpart, Ursula von der Leyen, during a dinner Monday evening in Paris.
The final decision should be announced Feb. 19 at the Board of Franco-German Ministers, with the participation of François Hollande and Angela Merkel. This summit could ausi set in motion a joint action for a European mission in CAR, humanitarian and security matters. The Germany now seems ready to provide air power to support the action of the international community in Central Africa.
At the Elysee, it welcomes the new Franco-German course, reflected arrival at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD), more European and closer to Laurent Fabius his Liberal predecessor Guido Westerwelle. A Defence, Ursula von der Leyen (CDU) is also very pro-European. These appointments are important because in Germany the ministers, including Foreign Affairs and Defence, are much more independent of the Chancellor than are their French counterparts vis-à-vis de l’Elysée.
In recent months, the Franco-German defense were not looking good dissolution of the last French regiment in Germany (110th RI), refusal of Germany to finance Sangaris operation in Central and little phrase murders of outgoing Minister of Defence .
Remains to be seen how things will materialize on the ground. And, moreover, how to place the next Franco-British summit on 31 January. Indeed, for more than three years with the Lancaster House agreements, France relied primarily on the military alliance with the United Kingdom. A topic that François Hollande has not even mentioned, nor during his press conference or during greetings to the diplomatic corps and armies. Assists do you change a priority in secret ally?
No comments:
Post a Comment