Former Prime Minister and Maltese MEP Alfred Sant told the European Parliament that an EU “defence plan” will overlook the interests of neutral countries while another European dual structure of in-outs takes shape. Dr Sant said that though the European industrial-military complex is right to lobby for a harmonised armaments market, this does not justify a “defence plan” and is achievable without it.

“Is this really worth it? I think not,” said the Maltese MEP while the European Parliament during the debate on ‘EU defence plan and the future of Europe’.

“Worse, according to current thinking, internal and external security are different sides of the same coin. Not true. So the defence plan will likely proceed on the basis of contingent military responses, ad hoc.”

Dr Sant said the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

“It is sad but probable that current ideas to launch an EU defence plan could bear out this dictum. An EU defence plan can only work if it is based on a clear definition of what the common EU interest is by way of security and defence against external threats from state entities. That definition does not yet exist in a coherent manner. Moreover, such a plan would need a military doctrine explaining how security/defence interests would be ensured, based on pooled or jointly coordinated resources, able to conduct warfare. No such doctrine seems available for the foreseeable future,” said Dr Sant.

Maltese Version – PJAN EWROPEW TA’ DIFIŻA JINJORA L-INTERESSI TAL-PAJJIŻI NEWTRALI

Pjan Ewropew komuni għad-difiża jinjora l-interessi tal-pajjiżi newtrali filwaqt li jfassal struttura li taħdem fuq żewġ livelli – ta’ pajjiżi li huma ġewwa u ta’ oħrajn li huma barra. Alfred Sant qal dan fil-Parlament Ewropew waqt id-dibattitu ‘Il-Pjan Ewropew ta’ Difiża u l-Futur tal-Ewropa’. Hu saħaq li l-industrija militari Ewropea tagħmel sewwa timbotta favur armonizzazzjoni tas-suq tal-armamenti, imma dan ma jiġġustifikax ‘pjan ta’ difiża’ għax l-armonizzazzjoni tista’ tinkiseb mingħajr pjan bħal dan.

“Jaqblilna nwettqu dan il-pjan? Ma naħsibx. Agħar minnhekk huwa r-raġunar attwali bbażat fuq l-idea li s-sigurta` esterna u dik interna huma wċuh differenti tal-istess munita. Dan mhux veru! Għalhekk pjan ta’ difiża aktarx jitkompla fuq il-bażi ta’ rispons militari ad hoc.”

Dr Sant qal li t-triq li tagħti għall-infern titwitta b’intenzjonijiet tajba.

“Hija ta’ dieqa, imma probabbli li l-ideat attwali li fuqhom jitniedna pjan Ewropew ta’ difiża jimxu fuq dil-linja. Pjan Ewropew ta’ difiża jaħdem tajjeb biss jekk ikun ibbażat fuq definizzjoni ċara ta’ x’inhuma l-interessi komuni tal-UE fid-difiża u sigurta` biex tilqa’ għat-theddid ta’ entitajiet statali oħra. Din id-definizzjoni għadha ma nħolqitx b’mod koerenti. Pjan bħal dan jeħtieġ ukoll ħsieb militari kif jitħarsu l-interessi ta’ sigurta` u difiża, ibbażati fuq riżorsi koordinati, u bl-abbilta` li jmorru għal gwerra. Ma jidher l-ebda ħsieb bħal dan fil-futur prevedibbli,” qal Dr Sant.

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