Im Gespräch: Ms. Claude-France Arnould
Ms. Claude-France Arnould ist seit 2011 Chief Executive EDA. Im Interview mit TRUPPENDIENST spricht sie über zukünftige Herausforderungen und über die Rolle der Kleinstaaten in der EDA.
TRUPPENDIENST (TD): You have a university degree in art and archaeology. You are familiar with digging in unknown areas. Do you think that under the layer of the different national interests in Europe you have to work sometimes as an archaeologist to find a common solution?
Claude-France Arnould (A): The clear conclusion is that we have absolutely to cooperate, first on the political level in the field of security and defence. When the EU began as a small community of six European states, born from the ashes of the War, we had to deal with defence. We have the fundament of friendship to work together. Working together was the challenge - and not working against each other. There are certain threats, but we have a very good cooperation. For me as the Chief Executive there is no contradiction - particularly in the field of defence - in working with all member states to establish solidarity in the same way that we approach international engagement and then work together.
TD: Since 2011 Pooling & Sharing has made significant progress due to the capability gap between the requirements and the means. In which way can small EU countries (like Austria) participate in this process?
A: Austria plays a significant role as a small member state in the CSDP, including in operations not only in Bosnia, but also in Chad. The very strong participation of small and medium-sized countries in the field of capability teaches the same lesson, but also provides good news. And taking Austria as an example of strong commitment, we can discuss the different fields in which Austria contributed: from cyber threats to logistics in support of the Battle Group. Austria plays an important role in EDA. Other examples are Finland in maritime surveillance, Ireland in naval training and Estonia in cyber defence. They all play a leading role in the Agency. The idea is mixing the capabilities of small and big member states.
TD: Let’s take at look at the near future. None of the EU members can afford the development and the production of military means alone because of their complexity and costs. What is your picture of EDA for the next years regarding the EU Council Summit at the end of this year?
A: The Council meeting at the end of this year is regarded as a significant milestone. It will be the first discussion on this level since 2008. The question will be: What can we expect right in the middle of the financial crisis? What about defence? This is about budgeting discipline, the clear requirement to protect ourselves and about our commitment to stand for our values. I would not suggest doing more with less, because we cannot achieve more with fewer assets. What we have is, in particular, cooperation and synergy with other EU policies. And this is the acknowledgment by the European Council that there is a vital priority for security. We have to make use of our resources appropriately and at the same time obtain the maximum benefit from cooperation.
TD: You have been Chief Executive EDA since 2011. Which aspects have significantly changed within EDA since you took office?
A: For me it’s the political will. We are privileged to be guided by the ministers of defence themselves. The board of EDA is the board of defence ministers, of course supported by other specialised boards, like armament, and research and technology. A new programme has been drafted by the ministers themselves, which has been confirmed by the Code of Conduct (CoC) that is to be signed in two months. The CoC is really the joint commitment throughout the capability work cycle, in order to ensure interoperability and efficiency.
TD: Do you have a message for our audience at home as regards EDA or the security policy?
A: Firstly, I would like to thank Austria for the deployment of its soldiers in very important theatres and, more generally, for the commitment that we rely on so much from all member states: Austria’s significant contributions in such important domains, such as cyber defence, operations support for the Battle Groups, armament, counter-IED, etc. The list of issues really shows Austria’s determination, and we need this determination.