Posted on 06/29/2016 9:15:11 AM PDT by broken_arrow1
The European Union cannot rely on NATO to protect its member states from external threats and must develop a policy of collective defence that allows it to "act autonomously if and when necessary".
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini's Global Strategy document states that "as Europeans we must take greater responsibility for our security".
The white paper, seen by Politico, adds: "While NATO exists to defend its members — most of which are European — from external attack, Europeans must be better equipped, trained and organised to contribute decisively to such collective efforts, as well as to act autonomously if and when necessary.
While it stresses that "NATO remains the primary framework for most member states", it goes on to urge EU members to "channel a sufficient level of expenditure to defence".
The document will be seized on by Eurosceptics as proof of a plot to set up an EU army - a notion that has been widely dismissed by diplomats in Brussels and London.
The warning of a European army was at the core of the Brexit campaign and became a hot topic with both sides trading blows over the truth of claims Brussels wanted to create a NATO-style organisation.
The warning of a European army was at the core of the Brexit campaign. The latest EU policy document calls for joint working on matters of defence.
America subsidises European defence by vastly outspending all other NATO members and the EU believes a stronger continental force would take the pressure off the Pentagon.
Downing Street had previously stated there was "no prospect of an EU army".
However, with Britain out of Europe it will not be able to veto a treaty change on the combined force.
(Excerpt) Read more at express.co.uk ...
Bingo!!
Fine by me, so long as we exit NATO
EUnion Leadership calls for 75,000 Volunteers to bring the REBEL state of England back into the Eunion!
THE EUNION MUST BE PRESERVED! DEATH TO SECESSIONISTS!
Ok, I stole this from a US Civil War site.
If the EU creates its own military, and those same militaries are also “NATO” as France, Germany, Holland, etc.... then effectively, the EU can use the US military at will.
Its time to walk away from NATO.
Where are the troops going to come from once the UK leaves?
an EU army is a ludicrous idea when most EU countries don’t even meet a decent standard for NATO participation now.
Unless they are ready to disband NATO they do not have the military resources to do both.
Royal Dutch Army, total 21,500 full and part time troops.
per wiki they have already integrated into the German Army with that EU objective.
excerpt:
....” 2 of 3 Dutch Army Brigades are now under German Command. In 2014 the 11th Airmobile Brigade, was integrated into the German Division of fast forces (DSK). Also the Dutch 43rd Mechanized Brigade, will be integrated into the 1st Panzer Division (Bundeswehr) of the German army.
With the integration starting at the beginning of 2016, and the unit becoming operational at the end of 2019. The Dutch-German military cooperation are seen as an example for setting up a European defense union....”
“Without the British Army, the EU couldn’t scrape up a legitimate fighting force if it wanted to”
You have to be kidding. This isn’t the 80s. The UK literally has more generals than tanks. They have an active Army of about 87,000 and 200 tanks. That’s it.
The Germans have the same number of tanks and about 60k.
The French Army is about twice the size of the Brits and better armed and has about twice the tank force.
Even the Swiss army, not the reserve forces, but the active army has about 380 battle tanks and a bigger active force than the UK.
I was always led to believe that Germany was restricted in what weapons they could have/use due to their awful history of starting 2 world wars. Guess I’m misinformed....dammit
NATO is designed to protect Europeans, not to be their oppressors.
It’s getting uglier.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.