Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2018-19 (1. samling), Udenrigsudvalget 2018-19 (1. samling), Forsvarsudvalget 2018-19 (1. samling)
UPN Alm.del Bilag 170, URU Alm.del Bilag 164, FOU Alm.del Bilag 80
Offentligt
2042049_0001.png
Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
and the Common Security and Defence Policy
Bucharest, 7
8 March 2019
Opening session
The Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CFSP/CSDP), which took place on
7th and 8th of March 2019 in Bucharest, was attended by 119 parliamentarians from
27 EU Member States, the European Parliament, and observers. The Conference
covered important topics, such as: the Eastern Partnership, the importance of the
Black Sea on the EU agenda,
CSDP’s
mechanism and instruments, as well as the
EU commitment to the Western Balkan. Four workshops dealt with the future of
CFSP/CSDP from Brexit perspective, EU Strategy for the Danube Region, cyber
security and hybrid warfare, and military mobility.
In his welcoming address,
Mr. Călin Popescu-Tăriceanu,
President of the
Romanian Senate,
stated that parliaments need to be more decisive players in the
European eastern and southern neighbourhoods in order to assure that the
European partners have the means to promote and defend democracy, freedom and
human dignity. Mr.
Tăriceanu welcomed the determination, perseverance and
courage demonstrated by the political and civic actors that have enabled the
implementation of the Prespa Agreement - an important cornerstone of peace and
security in South-Eastern Europe. He called for the Western Balkan countries to
overcome their differences so that the European Union’s sustainable commitment to
internal and external reconciliation may be reconfirmed as preconditions for EU
membership. Mr. Tăriceanu
emphasized
that the Black Sea region is one of the most
important to EU security, a reason for European institutions to increase their visibility
in policies and adopt a clearer and better-articulated regional approach. He stated
that the militarisation of the Azov Sea is an aspect of aggression and violation of
international law that threatens the security of the entire region. He highlighted that
Romania has consistently acted to influence positively the course of the Republic of
Moldova towards EU accession also by supporting national efforts to bring the
Moldovan institutions up to European standards, as well as by strengthening cultural,
economic and social interconnections. Furthermore, Mr
Tăriceanu called
for the
group of friends of the Republic of Moldova to continue to be active in the changing
post-electoral political context. He also underlined that cyber-attacks and threats of
hybrid war are important challenges that has to be met in common and for which
appropriate responses should be prepared through the Common Security and
Defence Policy.
Mr. Florin Iordache, Vice-President of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies,
stated that during the presidency of the EU Council, Romania took important steps to
support and strengthen the EU global role: promoting the enlargement policy and
EU's action in the neighbourhood, continuing to support the implementation of the
EU’s Global Strategy,
as well as supporting actions in the field of defence capacity
FOU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (1. samling) - Bilag 80: Referat fra CFSP/CSDP-konferencen den 7.-8. marts 2019 i forbindelse med det Rumænske formandskab
2042049_0002.png
building and security of the EU, in close complementarity with similar NATO
processes.
Mr. Ioan Mircea Pașcu,
Vice-President of the European Parliament,
underlined
that the future elections could represent the milestone in European history and will
define the future direction of the European continent in regards to the CFSP. He
expressed his deep conviction that the EU should strengthen the CFSP, by
protecting its principles and by promoting its values on the world stage. Mr.
Pașcu
called for Member States to stand firm together by not allowing Russia’s moves to
intimidate MS and to undermine European unity. The EU has to reform its decision-
making process in the field of foreign policy.
Moreover, Mr. Pașcu stressed that
EU
and UK should cooperate in all the possible domains. Finally, he stressed the
importance of supporting the Western Balkan states as well as those of the Eastern
Partnership. The Prespa Agreement is a victory and should be an inspiration for all.
Mr. Cristian Dumitrescu, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the
Romanian Senate,
highlighted the need to strengthen the EU's role as a global
actor by ensuring peace and strengthening the European continent's security, work
that needs to be continued by the new European Commission and the new
European Parliament.
Session I
The first session, moderated by
Mr Dan Dungaciu, President of the Black Sea
University Foundation,
was dedicated to the
Eastern Partnership - 10 years of
European aspirations.
Mr Teodor
Meleşcanu,
Romania`s Minister of Foreign Affairs,
presented an
overview of the Romanian Presidency focus on the Eastern Partnership (EaP), 10
years after its launching: preparing the next level of commitments that should be
confirmed politically at the upcoming EaP Summit in 2020; the implementation of the
Association Agreements/ Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreements and of
the visa free regimes signed 5 years ago with the Republic of Moldova, Georgia and
Ukraine; the innovative Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement (CEPA) concluded with Armenia; negotiations on a new framework
Agreement for further deepening cooperation with Azerbaijan - the progress gives
hopes for a successful conclusion rather soon; the negotiations on EU-Belarus
Partnership Priorities - a proof of an increased and constructive engagement with
Belarus. Mr Meleşcanu underlined that Romania,
as EU Council Presidency, is
keenly engaged in promoting the global role of the EU, including a robust European
action in the Eastern Neighbourhood - by a series of sectoral ministerial meetings,
aimed to mark concrete results in response to concrete needs of the citizens, notably
by promoting interconnection projects in priority area, such as: telecom, energy,
transport, business. He emphasized that the European joint effort for advancing the
Eastern Partnership objectives while also offering tailor-made approaches does pay
off to all of the European partners. The Eastern Partnership is not only a priority of
the Romanian Presidency of the Council; it is a priority of the EU.
FOU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (1. samling) - Bilag 80: Referat fra CFSP/CSDP-konferencen den 7.-8. marts 2019 i forbindelse med det Rumænske formandskab
2042049_0003.png
Mr. Thomas Mayr Harting, Managing Director for Europe and Central Asia,
European External Action Service (EEAS)
emphasised that the achievement of
the EaP in the past 10 years was the contribution in strengthening the resilience of
the region. He presented an overview of the key principles that guide EU in the
region and the achievements in strengthening the economic sectors, i.e. promoting
SMEs, connectivity - energy security and energy efficiency, people-to-people
contacts, strengthening governance. He stated that, while more-for-more is one of
the key principles of the EaP, there are discussions for less-for-less: if some partners
lack behind in achieving progress, if the principles they have committed to are not
being fulfilled, if there are negative developments with regard the rule of law, then
the discussion regarding the less-for-less is unavoidable. There is no consensus
among MS in the Council for EU membership. It is in the interest of everyone for a
partnership of six: three associate partners and three partners with more tailored-
made ambitions - the most remarkable progress was achieved in the second group.
Further work can be done with Ukraine and Georgia within the framework of
association agreements: digital sector, energy, customs, roaming.
Mr
Titus Corlăţean, senator and Romania`s former Minister of Foreign Affairs,
made a brief overview of the EaP achievements and the next steps to undertake. He
recalled that security and stability it is of equal importance for both the partners and
the EU. Mr.
Corlăţean stated that continuous engagement towards all partners must
remain a strategic objective and 2019 should mark the beginning of a real and
substantial reflexion period on the future of EaP.
The
subsequent debate
focused on the current challenges facing the region, and
the need to strengthen the resilience and the societal structures of the EaP
countries.
Session II
The second working session, moderated
by Iulian Chifu, President of the Conflict
Prevention Centre and Early Warning,
focused on
The strategic importance of
the Black Sea on the EU agenda.
Mr
Ioan Mircea Pașcu,
Vice-President of the European Parliament,
underlined
the economic and military importance of the Black Sea and NATO's assumed role in
the region in the context of the Crimean events in 2014. In his opinion, the European
Union must pay more attention to this region and use the full range of instruments,
such as crisis prevention and management, as well as military means to ensure the
security of this area.
Mr
Gabriel Beniamin Leș,
Romanian Minister of National Defence,
focused on
the security and defence aspects of the Black Sea area. Given the severity of the
threats and challenges of the region, he pointed out that the EU has a unique ability
to bring together multiple instruments, emphasizing the need for a European
strategic vision for the Black Sea region to overcome the fragmented approaches.
Ambassador Sorin Ducaru, future Director EU SATCEN,
emphasized that EU
should use all current available instruments in a coherent and coordinated approach
- an EU interagency Black Sea focus framework. Furthermore, he pointed out that
FOU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (1. samling) - Bilag 80: Referat fra CFSP/CSDP-konferencen den 7.-8. marts 2019 i forbindelse med det Rumænske formandskab
2042049_0004.png
EU-NATO cooperation offers great opportunity for synergies and complementarities
and can come with a combination of hard, smart and soft power with the aim of
achieving competitive advantages and to achieve coordination on strategic
approaches, policies and operational plans, capabilities development and strategic
communication.
The interventions in the
subsequent debate
highlighted the similarities between the
Baltic Sea region and the Black Sea region, the enhanced cooperation EU - NATO
on resilience and hybrid threats, while avoiding duplication, and the need to develop
smart capabilities.
Session III
The third working session, moderated
by Ambassador Mihnea Motoc, Deputy
Director General of the European Political Strategy Centre, European
Commission,
focused
on
the
CSDP
triangle:
CARD-PESCO-EDF,
complementary and mutually reinforcing tools supporting Member States’
efforts in enhancing defence capabilities.
Mr Jorge Domecq, the Executive Chief of the European Defence Agency,
had
an overview of the implementation and the coherence of the initiatives. These
initiatives represent the centre of the defence planning process, and their coherence
should be consolidated and integrated in the national defence planning system.
Europe should implement needed projects, avoid duplication and ensure
consistency. Concerning the European Defence Fund (EDF), the budgetary
allocation for the next Multi-annual Financial Framework makes the EU the fourth
biggest investor in European defence.
Mr Andrei Ignat, State Secretary and Chief of the Department for Armaments,
Romanian Ministry of Defence,
focused on the latest prioritisation instruments for
defence research, technology and innovation and provided an update on the
achievements of Romanian Presidency in delivering key sector legislation in the area
of European defence. He highlighted the importance of using the European Defence
Fund (EDF) to achieve the fusion between national and EU priorities on joint
research and joint development of defence products and technologies, thus fostering
synergies and cost-effectiveness. EDF contributes to the European strategic
autonomy, promoting cooperation, and advocated for more use of the potential and
the expertise of national research units, giving as an example of successful
institutional framework, the Romanian Agency for Military Technology.
Mr Arnout MOLENAAR, Senior expert in Defence Policy Matters and Head of
Division CMPD.2 "Capabilities concepts, training and exercises" within the
European External Action Service (EEAS),
made an overview regarding the
structural deficit that Europe faces in the defence sector and the fragmentation of the
defence investments. The goal of using available instruments is to ensure coherence
and complementarily with NATO.
The subsequent discussions
touched upon the parliamentary control of EDF, EU -
NATO articulation in running European defence initiatives, the role of bilateral
FOU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (1. samling) - Bilag 80: Referat fra CFSP/CSDP-konferencen den 7.-8. marts 2019 i forbindelse med det Rumænske formandskab
2042049_0005.png
agreements, European strategic autonomy, as well as establishing feasible cross-
country cooperation, even with junior partner Member States.
Session IV
The fourth session, moderated by
Ms Norica Nicolai, Member of the European
Parliament,
was dedicated to the theme entitled
A credible perspective for
enlargement and a strengthened EU commitment to the Western Balkans.
Mr
Victor Boștinaru
Member of the European Parliament
underlined that in the
last few years, the countries of the Western Balkans have made important progress
with regard to stability and security and, in this respect, Serbia and Montenegro have
registered good results in their accession negotiations, but there are still unsolved
aspects. The EU must offer a credible accession perspective in order to continue
internal reforms, the democratization process and the strengthening of the rule of
law. Without it, an unstable political environment can affect the western Balkan
states, which leads to crises, nationalism and confrontation. He concluded that the
progress made by the countries in the Western Balkans should be noticed.
Ms
Tanja Miščević,
Chief of the Negociating Team for Accession of the
Republic of Serbia to the EU,
emphasized that the EU must appreciate the major
changes which have taken place in the Western Balkan countries and their wish to
consolidate the constructive dialogue among partners. In spite of the bilateral
disputes, the reconciliation in the region is very important. She also made a short
presentation of the current relations between Belgrade and Pristina.
Mr Konstantinos Douzinas, Chair of the Committee on defence and foreign
affairs, Hellenic Parliament, expressed
his anxiety towards the alarming increase
of populism, nationalism, racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Euroscepticism,
which threaten two fundamental pillars of the European Union, namely the prosperity
based on solidarity and the settlement of the ethnic disputes. He also underlined that
the EU should watch attentively the positive evolutions in place in the Western
Balkan countries, should appreciate the dialogues which took place for example,
between Greece and North Macedonia. The EU Member States must support the
reform and the democratization of the countries of the Western Balkans for a
successful EU accession. EU should concentrate on the enlargement process and
should assume the role of regional actor who can unify these states and offer them a
motivation, so that they may continue on the road of democratization, reforms and
economic development, in order to have progress and prosperity. He underlined
further underlined that, during the mandates of the three rotating Presidencies of the
EU Council, respectively, of Romania, Finland and Croatia, it is necessary to set up
a precise calendar of the enlargement process, for a united and prosperous Europe,
a Europe of the citizens, based on cohesion.
The
interventions in the subsequent debates
highlighted the EU support for the
development in the Western Balkans, and the need to maintain EU commitment to
the enlargement process, as well as the need for the Western Balkan countries to
fulfil the criteria of the accession framework, especially the fundamental criteria
regarding the rule of law.
FOU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (1. samling) - Bilag 80: Referat fra CFSP/CSDP-konferencen den 7.-8. marts 2019 i forbindelse med det Rumænske formandskab
2042049_0006.png
Workshop A
In a workshop moderated by
Ms Ana Gomes, Member of the European
Parliament,
participants discussed the
Future of CFSP/CSDP from Brexit
perspective.
All the speakers in the workshop underlined the important role of the
UK for the future of CFSP / CSDP, given that the UK contributes significantly from
the point of view of the EU's defence capability.
Mr Jean Jacques Bridey, Chair of
the Committee for National Defence of the National Assembly,
stated that there
is a consensus among EU member states regarding the need for the ”Europe of
Defence” to become functional. Mr Bridey called on all member states to have a
global approach towards security matters, in the context of challenges posed by
countries like Russia and China. The French MP noted the importance to associate
the UK after Brexit to the Europe of Defence. The EU must use all instruments
available
CARD, PESCO, EDF
in order to respond to the current security threats
and challenges. Moreover, the workshop highlighted the necessity to understand the
concept of strategic autonomy, and then properly implemented. For Europe, being
strategically autonomous requires the ability to set a vision of its role in its
neighbourhood and on the world stage, to identify desirable political goals, and to
design and implement plans meant to achieve them. Finally, another important
element from this workshop refers to the fact that, after Brexit, bilateral relations with
EU Member States need to be restarted by signing new specific agreements or
strengthening existing ones.
Workshop B - EU Strategy for the Danube Region
In the workshop moderated by
Mr Doru Claudian Frunzulică, Member of the
European Parliament,
participants debated
the EU Strategy for the Danube
Region.
Mr Doru Claudian Frunzulică
has emphasized that the EU Strategy for the
Danube Region is a priority of the Romanian Presidency at the Council of the
European Union, and all the countries participating in EUSDR look forward for this
cooperation as it responds to their mutual interests, goals, aims and tasks. The key-
issues pursued by this cooperation are as following: mobility, energy, biodiversity,
environment protection, higher social standards, safety of navigations.
Ms Audrone
Perkauskiene, Head of Division for the Eastern partnership-regional
cooperation and OSCE, European External Action Service (EEAS),
has
underlined the importance of developing the relations and strategic partnerships
between the EU Member States and non-EU states in the Danube Region. The
EUSDR contributes to peace building, ensuring security in the region, maintaining
good relations with the countries in the immediate neighboorhood of the European
Union, developing new opportunities for quick and efficient humanitarian aid and a
healthy environment.
Mr Radu Gorincioi, Romanian Coordinator for EUSDR,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
specified that cohesion has deep roots in the European
construction and the slogan of SUERD Presidency
"We strengthen cohesion for a
common prosperity in the Danube region"
is correlated to the motto of the Romanian
Presidency of the Council of the European Union,
“Cohesion,
a common European
value”.
During the debates, participants concluded that the territorial cooperation, the
FOU, Alm.del - 2018-19 (1. samling) - Bilag 80: Referat fra CFSP/CSDP-konferencen den 7.-8. marts 2019 i forbindelse med det Rumænske formandskab
2042049_0007.png
coordinated increase of network activities and inter-regional exchanges would lead
to a better life standing for the European citizens. In addition, they stressed the need
to revise the EUSDR Action Plan in order to become a more efficient and transparent
instrument, involving all relevant actors.
Workshop C
In the workshop on
Cyber Security and Hybrid Warfare,
moderated by
Ms
Ramona Mănescu,
Member of the European Parliament,
the first contributor,
Mr.
Mihnea Costoiu, MP and the rector of Bucharest Polytechnic University,
emphasized the role of education in countering hybrid and cyber threats and
advocated for
cyber culture’s development.
Mr. Cătălin Aramă,
CERT-Ro General
Manager,
explained the role of the institution in strengthening the national cyber
security and called for more cooperation between national and European authorities.
The consensus of the workshop was that although cyber and hybrid warfare are not
a new phenomenon, the increasing digitalisation of society and infrastructure create
new vulnerabilities and new threats. Education and training are crucial in tackling
these threats and should not reach only the IT experts, but need to be made
available to the general population, as well as to the parliamentarians. Rising
awareness on the risk of disinformation as the main dimension of hybrid warfare
represents an important step forward. Finally, the need to establish general rules for
cyber space was stressed, as a fundamental instrument in defining global standards
and ensuring accountability.
Workshop D: Military mobility a challenge to develop synergies between NATO
and EU
In the workshop on
Military Mobility,
a challenge to develop synergies between
NATO and EU
moderated by
Mr
Victor Boştinaru,
Member of the European
Parliament,
the speakers analysed the topic from different perspectives: national,
European and NATO. The speakers of the workshop were
brigadier general
Eduard Simion, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation Representative in
Europe
NATO, Aukje de Vries, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on
Defence within the House of Representatives of the Netherlands and brigadier
general Constantin Negrea, Chief of Logistics Directorate, Defence Staff,
Romanian Ministry of National Defence.
Furthermore, the participants analysed
the status quo, the implementation of the political arrangements agreed at the level
of EU and NATO, including the progress of the national plans for military mobility that
should permit cross-border movement of the troops and the equipment within 5
working days. Several challenges within the NATO-EU cooperation framework were
noted, such as the exchange of classified information, and the importance of dual-
use of civil infrastructure. Finally, they advocated for an active role of national
Parliaments in improving the military mobility by scrutiny the implementation of the
agreements and endorsement of proper regulations, along with allocating the
assigned budget for fulfilling the requirements of the free movement of the forces.