Theo Francken: “We must create a culture of safety and resilience once again”

“For too long, we have been the slackest of the group in Europe when it comes to defence. It is time for a real revival of our defence apparatus. We must create a real culture of safety and resilience once again,” said MP Theo Francken in the De Ochtend radio show in connection with the Defence Committee. However, Theo Francken also calls for common sense: “The heart high, the head cool. The European Union is communicating like a headless chicken. Please leave it to NATO to decide what can and cannot be done.”

Theo Francken commented in connection with the Defence Committee, which is discussing military aid to Ukraine, among other things. “Above all, that help is coming too late. That is the case time and time again. Apparently, we do not have the insight to assess certain situations correctly, as was also the case in Afghanistan, and we always act reactively, never proactively. Ukraine already asked for help weeks ago, but we never responded to that. However, the signs that indicated a large-scale invasion were quite compelling,” says Theo Francken.

A nightmare

He says the deliveries themselves are also “a nightmare”: “That promised fuel will not get there for the time being because we do not have sufficient means of transport. We are delivering 5,000 old and sometimes worn-out machine guns, and even then without ammunition. And our soldiers actually need those rocket launchers themselves when they are stationed in Romania.” Theo Francken therefore wants Prime Minister De Croo to meet with FN Herstal and Walloon Minister-President Di Rupo as soon as possible to discuss additional purchases of ammunition and perhaps weapons.

Headless chicken

Theo Francken says that arms deliveries are of a different order than sending fighter planes or promising Ukraine rapid membership of the EU. “In that connection, the European Union is like a headless chicken in the amateur way it communicates,” the MP says. “It is obvious that the EU lacks the knowledge and expertise to deal with these kinds of issues. NATO does have that expertise. So please leave it to the treaty organisation to determine what can and cannot be done. I want Ukraine to overcome the plight, of course, but we must not lose sight of the larger whole.”

Heart high, head cool

That larger whole is the constant threat of further escalation of the conflict. “Keep your heart high and your head cool,” Theo Francken says. “We can and must still do a great deal in terms of economic sanctions, but we must not expect Putin to withdraw right away. Nor will he do so if we suddenly send F-16s. But in that case, we are thinking in terms of Article 5 logic, and the possibility of a large-scale war - between nuclear powers - is much higher. So let’s keep a cool head and concentrate on additional economic sanctions,” argues Theo Francken.

Screening refugees

Meanwhile, Europe is bracing itself for a new stream of refugees. “We must certainly show our hearts, but I have questions about Secretary of State Mahdi’s hasty communication. Municipalities received a letter on Monday evening to inform them quickly how they are to organise this reception. In any case, I am hesitant when it comes to shelter at people’s homes, but there is also a lot to consider when it comes to collective shelter. For example, there should be federal screening: who are these people, are they known to State Security, are they real Ukrainians? And what about psychosocial support for refugees with post-traumatic stress syndromes? Surely you can’t just leave that to the municipality or individual citizens? They don’t have the expertise for that.

Defence is the best insurance

Following the Committee, Theo Francken will also present his case to Prime Minister De Croo to put more money on the table for our defence. “The government aims to increase the defence budget to 1.5% of GDP The gross domestic product (GDP) is the total monetary value of all goods and services produced within a country, both by companies and the government. This term is usually used as a benchmark for a country’s prosperity. This is why the N-VA closely follows the evolution of the Belgian GDP. GDP by 2030. Let’s raise that to 2%, which is also the NATO standard. This will enable us to work on a real revival of our defence equipment and create a real culture of security and resilience once again. We have been the slackest of the group for too long. Defence is our best insurance.”