Intergovernmental cooperation in defence

By Claude-France Arnould et  Luuk van Middelaar

Claude-France Arnould is Senior Fellow for European Defence at the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics. She was Executive Director of the European Defence Agency (2011–15), before serving as France’s Ambassador to Belgium (2015–19).

Luuk van Middelaar is the Director of the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics, which he co-founded. A historian and political theorist, his books include The Passage to Europe (2013), Alarums & Excursions (2019) and Pandemonium: Saving Europe (2021) – all available in multiple languages. Luuk was the chief speechwriter to European Council president Van Rompuy (2010–14).

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The European Defence Agency could be the engine for Europe’s rearmament.

1. Strategic autonomy: Reviving the intergovernmental lead and the European Defence Agency

The initial exclusion of defence from the European project

A cautious reintegration of defence into the EU during the 1990s

The risks posed by the weakening of intergovernmentalism and creeping communitarization

Competency confusion is risky

2. Fostering cooperation to rearm Europe and ensure strategic autonomy: the European Defence Agency

Operational requirements and capabilities to ensure Europe’s freedom of action

Proper rearmament is not just about percentage of GDP

The core responsibility of member states demands intergovernmental governance

Use the European Defence Agency’s full potential

A permanent political lead is required

Addressing the main weaknesses of EDA is within reach

Recommendations

1. Reinforce political oversight

2. Clarify the missions

3. Involve the Council

4. Cooperate with variable geometry within and beyond the EU

5. Enhance cooperation through powerful incentives

6. Enhance ownership by shareholders and stakeholders

Concluding remarks

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