EU must learn lessons from Libyan crisis: defence ministers

AFP , Friday 23 Sep 2011

European Defence ministers call the EU members-states to learn lessons from the Libyan crisis for it proved several weaknesses in European armies

Longuet
Defence Minister Gerard Longuet (Photo:Reuters)

European Union defence ministers urged the 27-member bloc Friday to learn lessons from the Libyan conflict which revealed several glaring weaknesses in European armies.

The Libyan war is a "success" but it "has highlighted the limitations of Europe's capabilities," Polish Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak said at a two-day meeting with his EU counterparts in Wroclaw, south-eastern Poland.

"Lessons have to be learned from Libya, about what capabilities need to be invested in, given there have been some shortfalls," added Gerald Howarth, Britain's Minister for International Security Strategy.

His French counterpart Gerard Longuet said it was necessary to "draft without delay a list of what we know and don't know how to do, of what we can or cannot do."

He added that officials from Britain and France, two leading countries in the conflict, would meet October 12 to "exchange mutual experience."

The weak spots most often mentioned at the meeting in Poland, which holds the six-month rotating EU presidency, included a lack of in-flight refuelling aircraft, a shortage of ammunition, and shortfalls in information about the conflict.

The ministers ended the Wroclaw meeting without taking any decisions on the various options to improve military cooperation among EU members as national defence budgets shrink, diplomats said.

Discord remains on the creation of a common European defence policy, with strong opposition from Britain which enjoys a strong position within NATO.

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