The foreign and defense ministers of France, Germany, Poland, Italy and Spain met for the first time within the framework of the “Weimar +” group. The ministers aimed, in this way, to contribute, through a new concrete initiative, to efforts to revitalize European defense.

They called for greater mobilization with respect to the current security challenges, notably in Mali, Libya, Syria and the Balkans.

The goal of this meeting is to develop proposals on the Common Security and Defense Policy in order to prepare for the upcoming European events. The Foreign Affairs Council on November 19 and the European Council in December, 2012, will provide an opportunity for initial discussions, before the heads of state and government hold a European Council session in 2013 specifically devoted to defense issues.

In order to strengthen our joint contribution to international stability, the ministers proposed the development of the EU’s defense capabilities. With this goal in mind, they notably called for efforts to enhance the effectiveness of European operations and the competitiveness of our defense industries.

The ministers also presented measures to improve the EU’s crisis management procedures and structures in order to ensure greater responsiveness and better synergy between the civilian and military components. The EU, in this way, prepared to meet the challenge of ensuring better defense burden-sharing with its main partners.

Read the final statement - (PDF, 67.9 ko)