THE EUROPEAN UNION AS A DRIVING FORCE FOR ARMAMENT



THE EUROPEAN UNION  AS A DRIVING FORCE FOR ARMAMENT
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Location: European Parliament, Rue Wiertz 60, 1047 Brussels (room ASP 1G2)
Date: 09.11.2011, 15:00 – 18:30h

Background note:
Many countries in the European Union (EU), especially Great Britain and Germany, are under pressure to cut their defence spending. In this context the European Union is ideally suited to cover up expenses through the back-door and create “inherent necessities” to help legitimise further high military spending. This includes as well the establishment of a powerful EU military-industrial complex, along with a strong export economy.
The conference aims to show the numerous dimensions in which the European Union plays a driving force for armament within and outside the EU.

 

 

– PANEL 1-

MILITARISATION: THE STORY SO FAR – HOW, WHY AND WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM

 

Moderation: JÜRGEN WAGNER, Information Centre on Militarisation (IMI)

I. EU-militarisation and the Lisbon Treaty: New incentives for armament
SABINE LÖSING, MEP GUE/NGL, DE

II. Military Spending in Disguise I: EU military space programmes
FRANK SLIJPER, Campagne tegen Wapenhandel, NL

III. Military Spending in Disguise II: The European Security Research Program
DR. BEN HAYES, statewatch, GB

IV. Discussion

 

                                                                               – PANEL 2-

                                                                               INTERDEPENDENCE OF POLITICS AND THE MILITARY-INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX

                                                                               Moderation: JÜRGEN WAGNER, Information Centre on Militarisation (IMI)

                                                                               I. The European Military-Industrial Complex (MIC): Sources, Actors and Outcomes 
                                                                               DR. IRAKLIS OIKONOMOU, Hellenic Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics/ EFSPS – Program,GR

                                                                               II. The implementation of the EU Common Position on arms exports
                                                                               MARK BROMLEY & DR. PAUL HOLTOM, SIPRI, GB

                                                                               III. Lack of control of the global regulation of arms trade
                                                                               JORDI ARMADANS, Foundation for Peace; ES

                                                                              THE TOPICALITY OF THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE

                                                                              IV. Europe’s Empire of military bases and forms of Resistance
                                                                              WILBERT VAN DER ZEIJDEN, International Network for the Abolition of Foreign Military Bases, NL

                                                                              V. The EU militarization and the need of reinforcement of the struggle for Peace
                                                                              GUSTAVO CARNEIRO, Portuguese Council for Peace&Cooperation, CPPC, PT

                                                                              VI. Discussion

 

 

Translation will be provided in German, English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and any other European language on request (2 weeks in advance).

 

For information:

MEP Sabine Losing’s office + 32 2 284 7894
GUE/NGL press contact:

Gianfranco Battistini + 32 475 646628