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EU's Mogherini sees way past UK spat over military HQ
by Staff Writers
Brussels (AFP) May 15, 2017


UK's Johnson plays down EU spat over military HQ
Brussels (AFP) May 15, 2017 - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday downplayed differences with EU partners over the bloc's military ambitions, saying London supported their efforts to bolster defence cooperation.

Reports on Friday put Brexit-bound Britain in the dock for blocking the launch of an EU military headquarters because it opposed any suggestion the unit should have an active operational role.

EU diplomatic sources were quoted as saying the British government was anxious not be wrong-footed on the issue ahead of a June 8 general election dominated by Brexit.

But Johnson said the differences had been overdone and that the problem was about finding the right language, not the principle.

"We understand the vital importance of European countries working together to strengthen our defences," he said as he arrived for an EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels.

"If they want to come together... with other arrangements, then we don't want to stand in their way. We just (need to) work on the language to make sure that we get it totally right," he said.

In March, all 28 EU member states approved plans for what is known as a Military Planning Conduct and Capability (MPCC) facility in Brussels which would initially coordinate three of the bloc's overseas training operations.

These "non-executive military missions" in Mali, the Central African Republic and Somalia do not involve the use of force.

Diplomatic sources say French and German demands that the subsequent legal text refer to this unit as an "Operational Headquarters" were rebuffed by Britain.

According to a draft text of the conclusions seen by AFP, foreign ministers will agree Monday that the EU "looks forward to the effective establishment, as a short-term objective, of the MPCC".

The MPCC will assume "responsibilities at the strategic level for the operational planning and conduct of the EU's non-executive military missions".

If agreed, this text will go for approval to EU defence ministers who are meeting on Thursday.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, who chairs Monday's meeting, has pushed hard for the EU to take on an increased military role after President Donald Trump cast doubt on the US security commitment to Europe.

Brexit will deprive the bloc of both a nuclear-armed power which wields a UN Security Council veto and a member state which has consistently opposed EU defence integration as a risk to NATO.

Mogherini, top officials and member states led by France and Germany believe that against this backdrop, the European Union must now do much more on defence.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said Monday she was confident of making progress on the bloc's defence ambitions and did not expect a Brexit-bound Britain to stand in the way.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson also downplayed differences over plans for a EU military headquarters after reports suggested London opposed any suggestion that the unit should have an active operational role.

EU diplomatic sources said the British government was anxious not to be wrong-footed ahead of a June 8 general election dominated by Brexit.

Mogherini, speaking after EU foreign ministers met in Brussels, said they were trying to find the legal language to formalise the Military Planning Conduct and Capability (MPCC) facility.

This MPCC would initially coordinate three "non-executive military missions" training government forces in Mali, the Central African Republic and Somalia.

"I expect that in coming days we will have a strong indication of unanimity," Mogherini told reporters, looking ahead to an EU defence ministers meeting on Thursday.

She said she had spoken to British defence secretary Michael Fallon on Sunday, telling him that what was important after the March deal was that "once we take at 28 a political decision, then the same 28 should put the same energy into making it operational."

"I would not understand any minister putting an obstacle between a political decision and implementation," she added.

Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis said the 27 other member states wanted to approve the text Monday but could not because of British opposition.

The same could happen at the defence ministers meeting, Dastis added.

Johnson said earlier the differences had been overdone.

"We understand the vital importance of European countries working together to strengthen our defences," he said.

"If they want to come together... with other arrangements, then we don't want to stand in their way. We just (need to) work on the language to make sure that we get it totally right," he said.

A draft text of the conclusions seen by AFP said the EU "looks forward to the effective establishment, as a short-term objective, of the MPCC".

It will assume "responsibilities at the strategic level for the operational planning and conduct of the EU's non-executive military missions," it added.

Earlier drafts had referred to an "operational headquarters," sparking London's ire.

Mogherini, who chaired Monday's meeting, has pushed hard for the EU to take an increased military role after President Donald Trump cast doubt on the US security commitment to Europe.

Brexit will deprive the bloc of both a nuclear-armed power which wields a UN Security Council veto and a member state which has consistently opposed EU defence integration as a risk to NATO.

SUPERPOWERS
G7 partners seek common ground with Trump
Bari, Italy (AFP) May 12, 2017
G7 finance ministers met here Friday, looking for common ground amid concern among the United States' partners about the implications of Donald Trump's 'America First' economic agenda. The talks, the first Group of Seven outing for US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, followed the overnight announcement of a surprise trade accord between Washington and China. The deal, securing better a ... read more

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