THE EUROPEAN – SECURITY AND DEFENCE UNION
Luxembourg’s strong commitment to the EU and NATO Photo: MAE Luxembourg
Combining military and non-military means and emphasising green defence
Interview with François Bausch, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Luxembourg
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he European: Minister, Luxembourg is rightly recognised for the role it plays in the international community and its contribution to European security by its strong commitment to the EU and NATO. Defence is at a turning point in every country in Europe. Behind the veil of the pandemic, the world is changing and there is much evidence to indicate an acceleration of geopolitical transformation. What is Luxembourg’s reaction to these developments? François Bausch: Geopolitically, we have witnessed over the past years several phenomena: the continuing rise of China, an aggressive Russia seeking to play a stronger role in the world, an unprecedented rise, since the 1930s, in mostly right wing populist movements, and the continuing, ever stronger impact of global environmental and demographic changes, increasing instability in Europe and its neighbourhood. Luxembourg is affected by this transformation both directly as a country – for example through an increased occurrence of local natural disasters – and as a member of the EU and NATO. The Luxembourg government considers that more international cooperation is needed in this situation and that we need to better combine military and non-military means through an enlarged security concept putting more emphasis on non-military means and green defence.
The European: This is an essential part of your “3D Foreign Policy”, isn’t it? François Bausch: Luxembourg indeed follows a so-called “3D Foreign Policy”, a common and comprehensive approach, integrating diplomacy, development cooperation and defence policy. Luxembourg pursues in this context a very ambitious aid policy, spending 1 % of its GDP on development and humanitarian aid. Women, peace and security are important topics given our commitment to pursue a feminist foreign policy. The European: What were the highlights of this policy in past years? François Bausch: Regarding sustainable development, Luxembourg played a key role as EU Council Presidency in the negotiations leading up to the Paris Agreement. On the defence side, I have triggered a debate among EU defence ministers on climate security. Efforts have been undertaken to start reducing the ecological footprint of Luxembourg’s armed forces, and Luxembourg has been instrumental in setting up a circular economy working group at the European Defence Agency. I am sure that ethical considerations are of key importance, in particular if we want to remain credible in the promotion of our fundamental values worldwide. In this context, I am convinced that the next US administration will take a leadership position, as did the US in past times. For Luxembourg, it is of utmost importance that all our endeavours serve to keep our world, but also space, a peaceful domain. We should therefore develop
“For Luxembourg, it is of utmost importance that all our endeavours serve to keep our world, but also space, a peaceful domain.
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