A European Army consisting of soldiers from countries comprising the European Union (EU) and allied European nations might be on the march "one day" in the future.
Germany is backing France's proposal to establish a "European Army" that will take on all comers, including Russia, China -- and the United States - according to French President Emmanuel Macron, the motive force behind this proposal France first broached over 60 years ago.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said yesterday Europe's future should include "a real European army." She urged the 27 nation EU need to pull more firmly together and to depend more reliably on itself, without depending on its erstwhile reliable ally, the United States.
Merkel told members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France the days where Europe can unconditionally rely on other nations (the United States) are gone. This bothersome fact means that "we Europeans should take our fate more into our own hands if we want to survive as a European community."
Merkel also said Europe should work on a vision "to create a real European army one day." Merkel said. such an army will show the world "there will never again be war between European nations."
She took pains to point out this European Army won't compete against NATO but complement it. She also proposed a European Security Council with rotating seats for member states. This security council will make timely foreign policy decisions without the need for unanimity.
One political analyst said Merkel's call for a European army is a bold long-term vision -- "but let's acknowledge that it's long-term." A European army can be considered an aspiration for the time being. Individual national laws stand in the way of organizing such an army, noted observers.
Germany's support for the European Army was also voiced by Merkel's political party, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). The party's general secretary, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, believes a "European army makes sense.
Military analysts said a single European Army will greatly reduce national defense spending by individual European countries. There are 28 armies, 27 air forces and 23 navies in the European Union today.
"No wonder we spend an awful lot on the military," said Social Democratic Party (SPD) leader Andrea Nahles, who also supports the idea for a European Army.
Macron believes the EU has become the victim of growing tensions between the world superpowers. He earlier said Europe has to protect itself with respect to China, Russia and even the United States of America.
