Synchronised Armed Forces Europe

Synchronised Armed Forces Europe (SAFE) refers to a concept for an ever closer synchronization of European forces in the framework of the European Security and Defence Policy.

The concept was presented on November 10, 2008 by Hans -Gert Poettering, President of the European Parliament on the 7th Berlin Security Conference. On January 21, 2009, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament said a large majority of the concept and added it in the annual report of the European Parliament on the European security and defense policy. The Council of the European Union are ongoing discussions on the implementation of the concept.

Content

SAFE is a voluntary participation (opt-in model) and should lead to a synchronization of the European forces. This was used at Euro or Schengen process offers sufficient room for maneuver for the neutral and connected by military alliances, members of the EU. This process and the posted under ESDP mandate armed forces should be given the name SAFE " Synchronised Armed Forces Europe ". SAFE supports the dynamic evolution of today merely deepened cooperation between national armed forces so that they become increasingly synchronized.

SAFE supports the principle of a Europe-wide division of labor in military capabilities. This can be seen in the compilation of the Battle Groups or Euro Corps today. In addition, SAFE proposes to open military careers in the national armed forces for all Europeans from the member countries. This is already being practiced in the Belgian armed forces and approaches in the German-Dutch reservists use. As part of SAFE, a European statute for soldiers for use is to be developed, the training standards, operational doctrine and freedom of action, questions of rights and duties as well as the quality level of equipment and medical care and social security in the event of death, injury or incapacity.

Objectives

SAFE is to contribute to the development of integrated European security structures. This should connect to civilian and military capabilities and reach a broad social acceptance in the member countries.