Europe must be provided with a European defence strategy to have a stronger voice on the international scene and particularly regarding the situation in Syria. “Europe is too weak in this regard,” considered the Prime Minister today at noon, upon his arrival at the European Council.
The 28 Heads of State and Government of the EU will deal with the situation in Syria, where the neighbourhoods of the city of Aleppo are in the process of being retaken by the regime’s forces at the price of many civilian deaths. However, the European position which will emerge is not likely to be dramatic. At most there will be sanctions against some Russian and Iranian officials.
“I am not arguing for escalation. We must have sound dialogue with Russia,” stated the Prime Minister. “But we will be discussing sanctions at the meeting.”
The fact that Europe is barely being heard compared to the US and Russia is the result of a lack of a common defence strategy, according to the Prime Minister. “We must have a more robust defence strategy if we want to play a stronger role. I argue for a stronger and more involved Europe. We cannot be content with ourselves with just holding speeches."
(Source: Belga)
