The submarine affair: NATO’s silences – archyworldys

NATO, severely shaken in recent weeks, does not easily face painful debates. Hence the official silence, within the Atlantic Alliance, on the birth of Aukus, which will bring together, in the Indo-Pacific region, Australia and two eminent members of NATO, the United States and the United States. UK. A third, France, was sidelined, suffering at the same time the loss of an important market for submarines concluded with Canberra.

After the angry blow of Paris, we, at the Brussels headquarters of NATO, let the storm pass, to better rejoice in the soothing press release released after the exchange between Emmanuel Macron and his counterpart Joe Biden, Wednesday, September 22. He said in particular that Washington recognized that he was “Necessary for European defense to be stronger and more efficient, by making a positive contribution to transatlantic and world security, and by complementing NATO’s role”.

A way of reconciling the French vision of a more autonomous and resilient Europe and the American vision of a solid European defense but which does not compete with the Atlantic Alliance. One way, above all, to avoid an open conflict, just a few months after a reunion between allies, at the end of a Trump era marked by controversies over the very role of the Alliance.

In the European delegations at NATO headquarters, the support for Paris was, in any case, like that provided by the EU institutions: very cautious. Berlin, through the voice of the favorite for the post of chancellor, Olaf Scholz, said to speak “On behalf of the whole government” current to support Paris and advocate “A strong and sovereign Europe”. Nils Schmid, spokesperson for the SPD – Mr Scholz’s party – for international issues, on the other hand, considered that there was no ” no interest “ to see develop “A new escalation”.

“The essential has been preserved”

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has indicated that she will not “Didn’t understand” the French reaction. And if we express a concern in the diplomatic representations of eastern Europe, it is only because we wonder if the shift from Washington to the Indo-Pacific could, tomorrow, lead to a reduction in the resources allocated. to the protection of these countries from Russia. As for Italy, Ireland, Austria or the Netherlands, they strongly pleaded for the European Union not to renounce the Trade and Technology Council, launched during Mr Biden’s visit to Brussels, in June. The first meeting of this body supposed to stimulate investment will take place on September 29, in Pittsburgh, when a postponement would have clearly marked the bad mood of the Twenty-Seven.

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