BELGIUM 23-24 Sep 2010 European Union defense ministers meet informally

The European Union describes the gathering of European Union defense ministers in Ghent as one of the most important events in the Belgian Presidency of the European Union. HRH Prince Philippe of Belgium will open the meeting. It is intended to showcase EU defense capability, Belgium's own defense forces and defense industry, and to show off East Flanders. The ministers have to wrestle with the implications of huge anticipated defense budget cuts in many EU states.

The potential slashing of tens of billions of euros from defence budgets leaves many major projects in limbo. The European defense industries left standing after the cuts will have one thing going for them. A new directive establishes, in effect, a common market in the bloc for defense equipment. Called the Directive on Intra-EU transfers of Defence Products, it removes EU market barriers for defense equipment by simplifying national licensing procedures to facilitate cross-border exchanges within the bloc. According to an EU memo about the directive, it will alleviate obstacles to intra-community trade while preserving Member States’ control over their defence and security interests. It also notes that the directive will make EU defense industries more competitive, and help EU states meet their military needs at lower cost. Previously heterogeneous and disproportionate national licensing systems hampered the security of supply between member States, cost business over 400 million euros a year; and curtailed market opportunities, according to the memo.

In late 2003, the Government approved a defense blueprint that called for an in-depth modernization of the Belgian armed forces toward smaller, more flexible and better equipped forces capable of rapid deployment. These decisions mark the first stages of this modernization drive, which is estimated to involve a EUR 2 billion commitment. Recent operations carried out by the Belgian military in Afghanistan, Kosovo, Democratic Republic of Congo and, in recent months, again in Bosnia Herzegovina have also influenced these decisions. Belgium has 560 troops in Afghanistan, according to NATO. Most of them are in Kabul responsible for airport security, but the Belgian air force also has six F-16s in Kandahar.

The organizers will turn on a 3-D film presentation on Belgian defence for the defence Ministers, their delegations and the Belgian political world. The entertainment includes a tour of Ghent that includes a musical performance at Saint Bavo Cathedral and a visit to the town hall. The International Convention Center will also present tourism activities in East Flanders for the visitors.

RELATED READING:

Defence Procurement notes (European Commission)
http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/publicprocurement/dpp_en.htm

Factbox - Possible defence cuts around the EU (Reuters 28 Jul 2010)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/idUKTRE66R31J20100728

Details defense ministers' meeting (Europa)
http://europa.eu/eucalendar/eventpopup.shtml?eventId=1270122