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 ...
So glad for Brexit now. Can you imagine the Brits standing still and giving up their right to defend themselves? I cannot, even now.
With what money?
Looks like the UK left just in time!
I still will believe it only when I see it. There’s so much money to be had by the elites if the UK remains, so I wouldn’t put it past them to pull some shenanigans to keep the UK in.
I hope Scotland votes to leave the UK. That will take out a whole bunch of “remain” voters.
“EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini’s Global Strategy document states that “as Europeans we must take greater responsibility for our security”.”
I’m all for it Federica! Now, President Trump can move our forces to places like Poland and other Eastern European countries and leave you completely alone. Oh, and we’re not sending you 90% of the funding for your protection any longer either!
Total Bravo Sierra. Without the British Army, the EU couldn’t scrape up a legitimate fighting force if it wanted to. Germany’s army is a pale shadow of what it was during the Cold War.
Isn’t this what Trump said? Let the euroweenies man up.
This looks mighty like the EU are dead men walking.
They can’t use NATO to suppress rebellions (aka leave the EU).
With what money is the joke here.
If you came up to an independent Scotland and barely suggest they’d have to field some military organization....they’d start to ask where this money would come from.
The minor players of the remaining 27 EU members? They won’t up their ante a ‘dime’.
Germany? Where exactly will they dig up the extra money? The opposition parties are hyped up and angry that they have to pay more for the new transport plane, and they wanted to cut the military even more.
Look around...there’s not a single member of the EU who has the cash or the state-sponsorship to expand. Even Putin knows this.
Works for me. Pull all our troops AND equipment out. It’s time the Franco-German Empire defends itself.
America needs to quit funding the UN and NATO...Let all these sophisticated Euro countries fund their own protection...
See how long that lasts......
Europe is so tied up in entitlements and bureaucratic salaries that there’s nothing left to provide a real defense.
The EU is disintegrating . Look for many more counties to Exit. Britain is now the total envy of most people in Europe. Why would you not want your Sovereignty back? any clue?
Bingo.
However...it wouldn't be too far fetched to imagine Frau Merkel and the EU cabal to call on their newly acquired military aged Syrian refugees to form their army as a means to EU citizenship with all the bennies and more.
In my opinion, this is their answer to Brexit. As it is constituted today, there is nothing they can do about one of their states leaving. With an army, navy & air force, they can respond.
To me, this seems like they prefer the Lincoln approach to secession.
Well, maybe imposing sharia in Europe will deter the bad guys from coming in?
Wonder if they’ll goosestep?
Poland is being required to give its army to Germany? Yeah, that’ll keep them secure.
For all practical purposes, NATO is the US and Britain. About time they paid for their own defense.
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