During her speech on the state of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen considered that the European Commission and the member states had perfectly managed the health crisis. On this occasion, some criticized the inaction of Ursula von der Leyen, such as Dacian Ciolos, the head of the Renew group in the European Parliament - of which the elected Republic in March are part. But Clément Beaune does not share this point of view and above all wishes to “pay tribute” to his work and insists on the fact that there was no European competence in health matters. He therefore agrees with the president's opinion and also underlines that “sometimes excessive criticisms have been relayed. We must therefore also say when we have done well to act at European level ”.
Clément Beaune also welcomes the “pragmatic and essential” decision of the Commission to suspend the budgetary rules from March 2020 and does not wish “to return too quickly to the old-fashioned pact.” While he nevertheless supports the need for these budgetary rules, because “this is our co-ownership regulation”, “the 3% and the 60% are not the right entry point”, according to him. investment ”, because“ we cannot afford to have a Europe which, compared to the United States or China, does not have massive resources in the ecological transition or in the digital transition ”.
Finally, Clément Beaune underlines the importance of a strong Franco-German tandem because “things work when he takes the initiative”.
He recalls that from the summer of 2020, France and Germany first made the choice to buy the vaccine doses at European level “because it was in the collective interest” and in order to avoid “competition. commercial and health ”between the member states, because no one knows“ in what state we would have come out ”.
This solidarity was also “our health interest”, he adds.
Defense Europe
A defense summit will take place in Toulouse at the start of the French presidency of the European Union. With the American debacle in Afghanistan, certain European countries which hesitated to commit to the strategic autonomy defended by France are thinking about it again. For Clément Beaune, this strategic autonomy relates above all to “European sovereignty” in the area of defense, supported by Emmanuel Macron since the start of his presidency. He hears the divergent interests of the member states, in particular with the Baltic States which wonder if “it is beside NATO or against NATO”, to which they are very attached. However, he underlines the need to invest more in European defense, in particular with regard to cybersecurity,because “why would the Americans ensure our defense in (the) matter? It's up to us to do it! And that's a diagnosis shared with Washington. ” “We must do it as Europeans”, especially since we have “the expertise, the financial means and the capacity to do it in Europe”.
He also protests against Australia's decision to terminate the contract which bound it to France for the construction of submarines for the benefit of the United States and the United Kingdom because it is “a serious breach of trust from Australia ”.
And that could call into question the other negotiations with the country because “if we no longer have confidence, we cannot move forward and I do not see how we can trust the Australian partners”.
As for Washington's attitude, “America first will remain”, analysis Clément Beaune.
And our British neighbors, by leaving the European Union, “returned to the American fold with an accepted form of vassalization”.
We must therefore “act like Europeans” and “strengthen our capacities for reflection, strategic autonomy and defense”, he concludes.
Situation of Afghan refugees
The coming to power of the Taliban in Afghanistan makes some in Europe fear a wave of refugees.
France, in the pre-election period, qualifies the remarks about their reception on European soil.
Clément Beaune recalls that France was “the first country in the European Union to welcome Afghans who were threatened in their country and who have the right to asylum, even before the Taliban came to power” this summer.
France will continue this commitment because “it is our honor and those who explain to us that we don't have to do it, we owe them nothing”.
But that does not mean “welcome without conditions and without limits.
You have to be both honest and reasonable. ”
Angela Merkel's "courage"
In 2015, Angela Merkel acted without consulting her European partners to welcome the refugees.
In another area, she had always refused any common debt of the European Union, until the health crisis.
As she prepares to leave the chair of Chancellor she has occupied for 16 years, Clément Beaune wishes to greet a woman "who had courage", even if he thinks that "more cooperation was needed. European ”in some of its decisions.
However, he underlines that in all the great moments of recent European tests - the health crisis, the migratory crisis, Brexit - Germany and France have had “debates, but very quickly, they came to an agreement”.
Angela Merkel "brings in her wake a European commitment from Germany" which will last, he hopes, and "which will be her legacy".
French presidential election and presidency of the European Union
The French presidential election is scheduled for April, in the midst of the French presidency of the EU.
France did not wish to change the timetable, which was possible and had already been done in the past for other countries in the same situation.
Clément Beaune argues that the opposite has also happened already, and asserts that it “would have been curious and not very responsible”, as “committed of Europe” to send a message of doubt as to the capacity of the French president to lead both at the same time.
Some speculate on the departure of Clément Beaune from his duties as Secretary of State for European Affairs, to join Emmanuel Macron's campaign.
He denies this and confirms that he “will be in charge of European issues and the French presidency of the European Union” during this period.
He considers it an “honor” for him to occupy these functions because “a French presidency in a Europe of 27 you have every 15 years, and the next will be in 2035”.
He therefore does not intend to “sulk his pleasure in being a member of Europe”.
A program prepared by Isabelle Romero, Céline Schmitt, Perrine Desplats and Yi Song.
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