Gilles Andréani is a Top Civil Servant, French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
(This article is published in French only. Original title: 'Europe de la défense: y a-t-il encore une ambition française?')

Abstract

After fifty years under the aegis of the United States, Europe has begun seriously, through the European Councils at Saint-Malo and Helsinki, to take over its own defence. This evolution was made possible by the end of the cold war, the warming of relations between London and Paris on transatlantic relations, and, finally, through the priority given to military capabilities, the key to independence on defence matters. But, after September 11 and the reaffirmation of the U.S. hegemony on the international scene, a European defence policy must confront a major issue: does Europe want and can it become a genuine international player, capable of standing up to the challenges of global security? By proposing a transatlantic and European solidarity project that allows a European defence policy to coexist along side the U.S. 'hyperpower', France will be able to play a once again a leading role on the Old Continent.