Juncker wants EU army to stop growing Russian aggression
PRESIDENT of the EU Commission Jean-Claude Juncker has called for an EU army, in order to counter growing aggression from Russia.
Juncker said: “With its own army, Europe could react more credibly to the threat to peace in a member state or in a neighbouring state.”
The EU currently has some battle groups, which act as a rapid reaction force, but believes an EU army would be a more efficient use of resources.
He said: “One wouldn’t have a European army to deploy it immediately. But a common European army would convey a clear message to Russia that we are serious about defending our European values.”
Britain, along with France, is one of the main military powers within the EU. However, Britain is wary of committing too greatly to an EU army, fearing it could devalue NATO.
Other EU nations are far keener on the idea though. The German defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen responded: “Our future as Europeans will at some point be with a European army”.
NATO secretary general Javier Solana will today present a report calling for a new European security strategy.