26 February 2008 17:30 The UAE and Qatar have launched a series of military exercises with France in the Gulf. It is the first such action since French President Nicolas Sarkozy announced in January that France would build a 400-strong military base in Abu Dhabi to be operational by next year. France has committed 1,500 troops to the exercise, the UAE a further 1,500, and Qatar 3,000. Saudi Arabia has not committed its forces to the operation but King Abdullah has permitted the use of Saudi airspace and territorial waters. The exercises will focus on repelling missile and naval landings from the east, suggesting the Gulf states wish to rehearse in the event of any Iranian attack. The troops will also practice securing critical oil and gas facilities in the UAE and Qatar.
France has committed 1,500 troops to the exercise, the UAE a further 1,500, and Qatar 3,000. Saudi Arabia has not committed its forces to the operation but King Abdullah has permitted the use of Saudi airspace and territorial waters.
The exercises will focus on repelling missile and naval landings from the east, suggesting the Gulf states wish to rehearse in the event of any Iranian attack. The troops will also practice securing critical oil and gas facilities in the UAE and Qatar.
CAPE TOWN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - France is to renegotiate all its defence cooperation agreements with African countries, President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday in a move that could alter France's military support for some of its closest allies. France has defence cooperation agreements with several of its former colonies, under which French armed forces provide African states with varying degrees of military assistance. "All the heads of state concerned have been informed," Sarkozy told a news conference while on an official visit to South Africa. "I will talk about this issue this afternoon in the South African parliament," Sarkozy said, adding: "I will announce the renegotiation of all our defence agreements in Africa and the totally transparent publication of all of these agreements."
CAPE TOWN, Feb 28 (Reuters) - France is to renegotiate all its defence cooperation agreements with African countries, President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday in a move that could alter France's military support for some of its closest allies.
France has defence cooperation agreements with several of its former colonies, under which French armed forces provide African states with varying degrees of military assistance.
"All the heads of state concerned have been informed," Sarkozy told a news conference while on an official visit to South Africa.
"I will talk about this issue this afternoon in the South African parliament," Sarkozy said, adding: "I will announce the renegotiation of all our defence agreements in Africa and the totally transparent publication of all of these agreements."
This is a new one:
...totally transparent publication...
These treaties do not necessarily entail joining war efforts of one or the other treaty signatory nation; terms of defence agreements could include anything from joint military exercises for training purposes, exchange knowledge, info/intel, etc. and don't usually reflect an 'aggressive' nature but more on the defensive.
I won't be surprised to learn that Belgium too has signed cooperations of this nature with a few countries not only in Africa but also in Asia.
If it's true that Pres Sarkozy has promised to make public the defence cooperations France signs with other nations, that's a good step forward. I believe the French people have a right to know, scrutinize and ask questions, have a say about the treaties that the French govt signs with other nations.
....only TEN MILLION EUROS allocated for equipment purchase! Believe me, that's not gonna buy a lot of defence for the EU.
EDA is not a money spending institution: for defence it's still the national governments who pay the bills.
EDA has a managing function, they do oversee billions of Euro's. But the first steps to 'spend together' are set: EDA : Background : Background
The Agency manages a portfolio of over 40 Research & Technology collaborations. The Defence Ministers acknowledged that they need to "spend more" and spend "more together" on Research and Technology. As a practical first step towards this goal, in November 2006, a ground-breaking Joint R&T Investment Programme has been approved, with the aim to develop new technologies helping to provide better protection for the European armed forces. 20 governments pledged a budget of more than € 55 Mio into it.
That's why we shouldn't get all excited about wanting a united defence front for the EU... we have a long way to go, long way!
/new kid on the block "If you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles." Sun Tzu
Yes, yes, the CdG had issues with the reactor, but this time they could have done what the EdF did in the 70's: buy and adapt American reactor technology. Peak oil is not an energy crisis. It is a liquid fuel crisis.
