European defence industry co-operation must be enhanced – France’s Macron

PARIS (Reuters) – French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Monday that co-operation within the European Union’s defence trade wanted to be enhanced, together with by the introduction of measures to favour EU corporations on strategic points.

“We have to…have a stronger industrial and technological base for European defence one that’s a lot stronger and far more bold. And I can be intractable on this topic,” Macron advised a defence trade occasion in Paris.

In his speech, Macron careworn the modified geopolitical scenario brought on by Russia’s actions in Ukraine, reiterating his name for reinforcing Europe’s autonomy in the case of its defence capacities.

“The time has come to place in place…a European choice, to construct, when needed and doable, rational mechanisms for the acquisition of frequent capabilities”, Macron stated.

Public tender guidelines amongst EU states for defence trade contracts must also be simplified to permit extra transnational cooperation.

(Reporting by Tassilo Hummel; Modifying by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Angus MacSwan)