News Feed nº7
Irini first interception of a ship suspected of violating UN Weapon embargo on Lybia
The German frigate FGS Hamburg, assisted by the Italian frigate ITS Margottini has intercepted on September 10th, 2020 the MV Royal Diamond 7 ship leaving the United Arab Emirates for Benghazi. It is the first official interception of a vessel in the frame of the Irini operation.
The ship was carrying fuel that could be used for aircraft propulsion and therefore military use. The UN considers it as military material. It is being escorted to a European harbor for further inquiry.
In June, the last attempt to inspect a suspect ship, the Cirkin, created a major diplomatic incident between Greece, France and Turkey. The Turkish escort was reported as intimidating to the Greek ship and targeting the French frigate.
European acquisitions
Greece announced on September 12th its intent to buy 18 Rafale aircrafts, 4 frigates and 4 helicopters. “Time has come to reinforce our armed forces (…). It will be a major program that will shape a national shield”. Greece will also recruit 15.000 additional soldiers.
Greece becomes therefore the first European country to buy the Rafale aircraft from the French aerospace company Dassault.
A few days before, Hungary confirmed a command of 218 KF41 Lynx tanks to the German company Rheinmetall. Following a first announce in August, the Hungarian government filed a 2 billions euros contract to the company. This includes as well 9 repair armored vehicles, simulators, spare parts and training sessions.
Hungary becomes the first NATO country to buy the Lynx tank.
French Secretary of State for European Affairs publishes manifesto for stronger Europe
Following the COVID-19 crisis and the reaction of Europe to the subsequent economic crisis, Clément Beaune, the French Secretary of State for European Affairs, published a manifesto delivering his vision for a stronger and more sovereign Europe.
Looking back on the recent policy of France, and underlining some weaknesses of the institutions regarding the current challenges, he foresees some attributes needed for an ambitious way forward:
- Borders, to “organize its relationship with the outside world”, by stopping enlargement and building tailored agreements with Europe’s neighbors
- Different formats in a unique institutional frame, to allow little groups of countries to push forward some topics
- A power agenda, to secure its position as a powerful actor and reduce internal competition
“Europe is not the dilution of, but the condition for, French sovereignty in today’s world; and if it does not live up to this promise today, it can be reformed.”
Italy wants to use part of the Recovery Fund to foster European Defense Cooperation
The Italian government is submitting to the European Commission a list of initiatives that will be promoted by the European Recovery Fund. Some projects have been developed by the Italian Ministry of Defense Lorenzo Guerini and the Ministry of Economic Development Stefano Patuanelli. They aim to foster the development of the TEMPEST program, the Italian and German Navy cooperation for the creation of U-212 NFS submarine and the European Patrol Corvette program started with France in 2019. By submitting these projects, the Italian government wants to demonstrate to the European Commission its interest to be a fundamental stakeholder of the development of the European Defense cooperation.
0 Comments