The French Paradox: Risks to European Defence Harmonisation and Arms Export Control
In his speech on Europe on 25 April 2024, President E. Macron reiterated France's commitment to building a credible European strategic autonomy. Indeed, the country has one of the most important technological and industrial defence bases in the European Union. However, its often very nationalistic view of the European Union seems to hinder the harmonisation of a common defence strategy and the establishment of a rigorous arms export control system that guarantees the application of international humanitarian law (IHL).