EU's Top diplomat Wants The Formation Of An EU Army

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said soldiers could be sent into war zones without the backing of all member states  

Daily Mail: Eurocrats eye 'EU army' that could activate up to 5,000 troops without full support of member states 

* EU foreign policy chief said soldiers may be sent into war zones without backing 

* Josep Borrell believes smaller groups of countries should take action 

* Britain opposed any plan during its membership as it would undermine Nato 

Eurocrats are planning a 5,000-strong ‘EU army’ that could be activated without unanimous support from member states. 

Controversial proposals in draft documents outline the creation of a military force by 2025 that could be sent into battle without the approval of all 27 EU governments. 

Officials would be able to ‘swiftly deploy a modular force of up to 5,000 troops, including land, air and maritime components’, said a document seen by the Daily Mail.  

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Update: 'Europe is in danger': top diplomat proposes EU military doctrine (Reuters).  

WNU Editor: There is some EU cooperation .... EU leaders weigh new innovation hub role for the European Defence Agency (Defense News). But the formation of an EU Army is not going to happen anytime soon as explained by this post .... European Army: Rhetoric versus Reality (Soeren Kern, Gatestone Institute).

EU Defense Ministers Discuss Establishing A Rapid Response Force After The Fall Of Afghanistan

European forces have conducted joint missions in Europe and Africa over the years  

Daily Mail: EU plans 'rapid response' reaction force for military interventions following the fall of Afghanistan and chaotic US-led evacuation 

* EU leaders are debating a 5,000 strong force from willing countries in the bloc 

* Calls have grown in the US and Europe for stronger EU military capabilities 

* But some are resistant over fears of an EU army strengthening the 'superstate' 

The EU is planning a 5,000 strong 'rapid response' reaction force for military interventions in the wake of the chaotic evacuation of Afghanistan. 

Calls have grown for the 27-nation bloc to develop its own joint military capability to respond quickly to crises in the wake of the chaotic scenes at Kabul airport after the Taliban seized power. 

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell said: 'Afghanistan has shown that deficiencies in our strategic autonomy come with a price and that the only way forward is to combine our forces and strengthen not only our capacity but also our will to act.  

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WNU Editor: NATO has responded .... 'Dishonourable' Macron shamed by NATO as fury erupts at bid to split alliance with EU army (Express). 

More News On EU Defense Ministers Discussing the Establishment Of A Rapid Response Force After The Fall Of Afghanistan  

Europe Starts Talks on Rapid Military Force After Afghan Exit -- Bloomberg  

EU Defense Ministers Mull Rapid Response Force after Afghanistan’s Fall -- VOA  

US withdrawal from Afghanistan will lead to EU army, says top diplomat -- The Guardian  

EU still hesitant on military force enhancement after Afghanistan -- Politico  

Proposals for an EU army re-emerge after Afghan pullout – but many remain ‘hard to convince’ -- France 24  

Wake-up call? Afghanistan highlights need for 'autonomous' EU military force -- France 24  

Analysis: Afghanistan pullout spurs EU to revive rapid reaction force -- Reuters  

Is the fall of Kabul the kick European defense needs? -- DW

EU Commission Chief Ursula von der Leyen Wants Europe To Be A Global Military Power

"This is about Europe shaping its own future."

Watch President @vonderleyen delivering her special address at the Davos World Economic Forum 2020. #EUatDavos #wef20 https://t.co/UEzScw2AoV

— European Commission 🇪🇺 (@EU_Commission) January 22, 2020

DW: EU's von der Leyen: Europe needs 'credible military capabilities'

The EU has set up "the building blocks of a European defense union," EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has said in Davos. She also hailed a "European open science cloud" aimed to boost research in the bloc.

In order to respond to crises, the EU needs "credible military capabilities," the leader of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen said at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Wednesday.

The bloc has already "set up the building blocks of a European defense union," the former German defense minister said in her speech.

"It is complementary to NATO and it is different," she added. "There is a European way to foreign policy and foreign security policy where hard power is an important tool […] but it is never the only one."

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WNU Editor: The EU chief is not the only one calling for an EU Army .... EU Army: Emmanuel Macron's close ally demands Europe become a global military power (Express).

German Chancellor Merkel Supports Her Successor's Idea For An EU Aircraft Carrier

French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Wikipedia

DW: Angela Merkel backs plan for EU aircraft carrier

Angela Merkel has voiced support for some major aspects of CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer's EU vision. The proposals include a joint European aircraft carrier and a permanent EU seat on the Security Council.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday endorsed some of the key European reform ideas put forward by her successor to the Christian Democratic Union leadership Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, including a joint EU aircraft carrier.

Kramp-Karrenbauer, who succeeded Merkel as leader of the CDU in December, etched out her vision in a weekend response to French President Emmanuel Macron's proposals for European Union reform.

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Update #1: Germany's Merkel welcomes idea of European aircraft carrier (FOX News/AP)
Update #2: The strange case of a ‘European aircraft carrier' (Sebastian Sprenger, Defense News)

WNU Editor: When you factor in the planes that are needed, the sailors required, and the support ships to protect such an aircraft carrier, this German idea for an aircraft carrier is years (if not decades away) from becoming real. My suggestion to the German Chancellor and to her successor is that they should prioritize fixing the current military, rather than dreaming of the future .... Germany not satisfied with readiness of submarines, some aircraft (Reuters).

France And Germany Say They Are Committed To A European Army

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Soeren Kern, The Gatestone Institute: France and Germany: "We Are Committed to the Emergence of a European Army"

* "Populism and nationalism are increasing in all our countries. For the first time, a country — Great Britain — is leaving the European Union. Worldwide, multilateralism is under pressure...." – German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

* "Converging this much with Germany is an abandonment of sovereignty — a betrayal. If we had not alerted the public, this text would have been signed on the sly. The text provides in particular for the need to legislate in the event of obstacles to Franco-German cooperation.... I do not want more convergence with Berlin, be it in social or security matters, or in closer consultation in the UN Security Council." – Marine Le Pen, Le Temps.

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WNU Editor: And they accuse President Trump of undermining NATO.

German Chancellor Merkel Boasts That Germany And France Have Taken The First Steps Towards 'A European Army'

Daily Mail: Merkel boasts Germany and France have taken the first steps towards 'a European ARMY' after signing friendship treaty with Macron

* Franco-German friendship pact signed in western German city of Aachen today
* Angela Merkel said it was a step towards creation of a future joint European army
* The German Chancellor also warned against rising nationalism across Europe

Angela Merkel has hailed a new Franco-German friendship treaty as being a step towards the creation of a future joint European army.

The German Chancellor said the pact, inked in the ancient western German city of Aachen today, aims to build a 'common military culture' between the two countries.

In a speech during the ceremony, Merkel insisted the treaty 'contributes to the creation of a European army'.

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WNU Editor: EU leaders like German Chancellor Merkel have always wanted an EU army independent from a U.S.-led NATO. Today's signing is (they hope) one step closer to accomplishing it. The problem is that they do not have the money to do it, and in the context of how unpopular they have become in their own countries, makes today's exercise even more comical.

More News On Today's German - French Signing Of The Treaty of Aachen

France and Germany Sign Deal That ‘Contributes’ to ‘European Army’ to Defend Against China, Russia and U.S. -- Newsweek
Merkel and Macron sign Treaty of Aachen to revive EU -- DW
France, Germany try to 'show the way forward' for embattled EU project -- Reuters
France and Germany pledge to defend each other in new treaty -- RT
France and Germany provoke populist anger over 'friendship pact' -- The Guardian
What's in the Franco-German Treaty of Aachen? -- Jane Mcintosh, DW

EU Defense Ministers Agree On 17 New Joint Projects

Strategic Culture

Politico: EU to launch joint spy school, boost electronic warfare skills

Defense ministers agreed on 17 new joint projects. POLITICO has the list.

The defense ministers of 25 EU member countries agreed Monday on a joint EU intelligence school, along with 16 other new projects, as part of their military pact.

The new projects, signed off by the defense ministers of all the EU’s member countries except Denmark, Malta and the United Kingdom under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) pact, range from improving training and facilities to boosting maritime operations and air systems, as POLITICO reported before their official adoption.

The establishment of a joint EU spy school would be a big step forward for the bloc’s intelligence community. Until recently, a significant deepening of intelligence cooperation in the Union was blocked by the U.K., which viewed it as unwelcome competition to the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, made up of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Britain. With Brexit approaching, London no longer stands in the way.

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WNU Editor: The first steps to an EU Army?

German Chancellor Merkel Now Calling For An EU Army

Angela Merkel called for the creation of a European army and Security Council during a speech to ministers in Strasbourg on Tuesday

Daily Mail: Merkel calls for creation of a 'real, true' European army in rebuke to Trump after he mocked France, saying they were 'learning German in Paris' in WWII until the US saved them

* The German Chancellor called for EU army in speech to ministers in Strasbourg
* Her remark drew widespread applause but some boos from the lawmakers
* Comes after Emmanuel Macron put forward the same idea on French television
* Also comes after President Trump joked that the French 'were learning German before the US came along' and called on leaders to pay their way in NATO

Angela Merkel called for the creation of a 'real, true' European army during a speech to EU ministers on Tuesday in a rebuke to President Trump.

The German Chancellor also called for a European Security Council that would be responsible for coordinating defence policy across the continent.

Merkel spoke out after French President Emmanuel Macron floated the same idea last week, and hours after Donald Trump lambasted him for it on Twitter.

Trump joked that Parisians 'were starting to learn German before the U.S. came along' in the Second World War and told EU leaders to pay their fair share to NATO.

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More News On German Chancellor Merkel Now Calling For An EU Army

Merkel joins Macron in calling for EU army to complement NATO -- Politico
Germany's Angela Merkel calls for a European Union military -- Straits Times/Reuters
Germany’s Merkel calls for creation of an EU army -- Washington Post
WARMONGERING EU: Fury as Angela Merkel celebrates true European ARMY -- Express
Angela Merkel calls for a “real European army” -- Quartz

Does Europe Need Its Own Army?

WNU Editor: If European leaders are so eager to have a military force that is independent of NATO .... what is then the purpose of NATO? French President Macron remarks that the EU needs an independent military to protect itself from Russia, China, AND the U.S. only makes President Trump's case that a rethink is needed on what should hen be the future of NATO .... Trump torches allies, threatens NATO pullout after tense WWI memorial trip to Paris (Business Insider)

France And Germany Push for The Establishment Of An EU Army

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen talks at the Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, February 16, 2018. REUTERS/Michaela Rehle Reuters

US News and World Report/Reuters: Let's Work Together on Defense, France and Germany Tell Europe

MUNICH (Reuters) - The defense ministers of Germany and France pledged to redouble their military and foreign policy cooperation efforts on Friday, inviting other European countries to participate if they felt ready to do so.

In a speech to the Munich Security Conference, German defense minister Ursula von der Leyen said Europe's countries would not be able to respond nimbly enough to global challenges if they were stymied by the need to decide joint foreign policy approaches unanimously.

"Europe has to up its pace in the face of global challenges from terrorism, poverty and climate change," she said. "Those who want to must be able to advance without being blocked by individual countries."

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WNU Editor: This push for a EU Army has been around for a long time. The reason why it has failed .... and will continue to fail .... is that countries like Germany are not willing to put serious money in establishing it, and the smaller countries do not trust Berlin and Paris will make them a priority in such a pact .... especially the countries that share a border with Russia.

More News On France And Germany Pushing for The Establishment Of An EU Army

Defying US, Paris and Berlin stand firm on EU defence pact -- Channel News Asia/AFP
Germany and France lead calls for greater EU unity on defence -- Independent.ie
Exclusive: Germany’s defence minister says EU defence pact will complement NATO -- France 24

The EU's Biggest Standing Armies

Zero Hedge: The EU's Biggest Standing Armies

As we detailed previously, the foreign and defense secretaries of 23 EU countries (out of 28 in total) agreed on Monday to take further steps towards forming a European defense force.

Five countries opted out: The United Kingdom (that's is leaving the EU), Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and Malta.

The defense union has been on the agenda for a long time and is called the Permanent Structured Cooperation, or PESCO.

This chart shows the EU countries with the largest standing armies, according to data provided by GlobalFirePower.com.

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WNU Editor:  I am surprised by Greece's numbers.

The German Defense Minister Already Has Plans On How To Spend The EU's New Defense Fund

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen (L) speaks with German soldiers after a NATO Response Force (NRF) exercise in Zagan, southwest Poland on June 18, 2015. Photo by AFP

Spigel Online: German defense minister eyes EU fund to boost military

The EU's new defense fund could be used for drone development, better aircraft and officer training, Germany's defense minister has said. Ursula von der Leyen said Germany and France were already identifying projects.

Von der Leyen told Germany's Funke newspaper concern that "we Europeans must get a firmer grip on our own security" in the wake of Britain's "Brexit" referendum and the US election of President Donald Trump.

Her remarks to the Ruhr District multimedia outlet based in Essen coincided with a public "open barrack" day at 16 Bundeswehr facilities as Germany's armed forces seek to recover from several scandals.

Visiting the Bundeswehr's large tank training center near Detmold - the Rommel Barracks named after the late Hitler-era Africa corps general - von der Leyen said German soldiers needed more "sustained" funding and more public support.

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WNU Editor: Before they plan on building an EU defense force, the Germans should first fix up their own military .... Germany's Merkel seeks to ease tensions with military (AP). And as for where to spend the money .... the other members of the EU may have a different point of view.

The EU Wants A Defense Fund That Will Be Used To Develop New Military Technologies

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Rock Cohen

The Guardian: EU to outline plan to use funds for defence for first time

Money will pool research into new military technology such as drones and air-to-air refuelling planes

The European Union is mulling a €1bn (£870m) defence fund, as Britain’s impending departure raises hopes of deeper military cooperation in the bloc. The EU’s executive arm will outline plans on Wednesday for a fund to pool research into new military technology, such as drones, air-to-air refuelling planes and cyber-defence systems.

In an implicit challenge to Britain as it heads for the EU exit, the European commission will say that no single EU country – not even the largest – can afford to develop the most costly military equipment alone. “The development of a new generation of many major defence systems is today beyond the reach of a single EU member state,” states a draft paper seen by the Guardian. “‘More Europe’ in defence and security is clearly needed.”

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Update #1: EU to Outline Defense Union Plans Amid Doubts About U.S. Ties (Bloomberg)
Update #2: After years of talk, EU plans defense spending spree (Politico)

WNU Editor: The EU is talking about putting together a defense fund of about €1bn (£870m). What's my take .... I cannot stop laughing. They are actually thinking that this will be enough money to develop new military technologies, such as drones, air-to-air refuelling planes, cyber-defence systems, and God only knows what. Here is my prediction .... this money will disappear in leasing office space, salaries, and travel expenses. As for developing new military technologies .... that is when they will ask for more money.

Is The EU About To Increase Its Defense Budgets?

European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, April 20, 2016. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

Reuters: EU agrees defense budget increase as Britain lifts block

The European Union agreed on Tuesday to increase its military research budget for the first time since 2010 after Britain softened its opposition, a breakthrough that may signal British support for defense co-operation even once outside the bloc.

A day after agreeing a new defense plan aimed at making Europe less reliant on U.S. help, EU governments increased the 2017 funding of the European Defence Agency, which helps countries develop aircraft and other assets, by 1.6 percent, in line with inflation and taking the modest budget to 31 million euros ($33 million).

While well below the 6.5 percent rise the agency wanted, it was the first time in six years that Britain has not blocked an increase at the agency whose budget has shrunk 15 percent in real terms, EU officials said.

"It is still a symbolic increase," EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini told a news conference.

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WNU Editor: What a joke .... they increase spending to $33 million, and they are applauding themselves. The EU may want a military force that is independent from NATO and the U.S. .... but this dream is just a dream for the simple reason that the EU does not want to spend the money to have such an army.

EU Defense Ministers Continue Talks On Increasing Military Cooperation

Wall Street Journal: EU Defense Ministers Discuss Deeper Military Cooperation

Initiative to improve security ties aimed at strengthening regional unity

European Union defense ministers on Tuesday discussed proposals for increased military cooperation amid concern by Britain and some Eastern European governments that such collaboration could undermine the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and duplicate the alliance’s work.

The proposals debated by the ministers, who met in the Slovak capital Bratislava, are part of a push by European officials and diplomats to strengthen European ties after Britain’s vote in June to leave the bloc.

Europe is also under pressure from the U.S. to step up its military spending, with the Republican presidential nominee, Donald Trump, again pressing Europe Monday evening to shoulder more of the burden of its own defense.

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More News On EU Defense Ministers Continuing Talks On Increasing Military Cooperation

EU Presses Ahead With Military Plans, UK Opposes Any EU Army -- AP
France, Germany to table defence plan at Bratislava ministerial meeting -- EurActiv
France, Germany present defense plan -- CCTV
'No contradiction' between EU defence plan and NATO: Stoltenberg -- 7 News
Showdown Over Franco-German Defense Plans as EU Split on Military Cooperation -- Sputnik
Britain's fear of European army muddles EU defense plan -- Reuters
Britain Still a Thorn in the Side of EU Military Cooperation -- VOA
UK 'will oppose any idea of EU army' despite impending Brexit -- DW
Michael Fallon: UK will oppose plans for EU army -- BBC

Britain Vows To Veto Any Formation Of An EU Army

The Independent: Britain will veto EU army, says Defence Secretary

For as long as the UK is a member of the EU, it will block plans for an EU army, says Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon

The UK would exercise its power of veto to block the creation of an EU army while it remains a member of the European Union, according to Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon.

EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has spoken of the possibility of a “common military force” at a meeting of EU leaders in Bratislava, to which Britain was not invited.

Sir Michael told The Times newspaper. "That is not going to happen. We are full members of the EU and we will go on resisting any attempt to set up a rival to Nato."

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WNU Editor: Bad idea .... and if implemented what is the point of having NATO. This is also (to me) just more evidence on how out of touch the EU leadership is with the rest of Europe.

More News On Talks To Form An EU Army

No rivals to NATO: Britain will veto joint EU army as long as it’s in the bloc -- RT
Britain will veto creation of EU army, vows Michael Fallon -- Politics Home
Baltic States, Poland Up in Arms Over Creation of 'EU Army' -- Sputnik
Juncker proposes EU military headquarters -- BBC
European Leaders Debate Proposals for Closer Military Ties -- New York Times
Will the European Union build an EU army? -- Express

Are There Secret Plans To Create An EU Army?

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Rock Cohen

The Guardian: Is there a secret plan to create an EU army?

Claims from the leave side about moves to unify Europe’s armed forces are nothing more than fantasy.

“EU army plans kept secret from voters,” was the front-page story in Friday’s Times. If the claim sounded familiar, that was because just two days earlier a retired British army commander, Major General Tim Ross, had claimed in the Daily Express that the EU was “moving inexorably towards full political union and all that comes with it”, including “unified armed forces”.

Alongside Brussels bans on bendy bananas and high-powered toasters, few subjects get leave campaigners as hot under the collar as the prospect of an EU army. On Friday Nigel Farage, the Ukip leader, accused the remain side of lying about moves to create one, while the former defence secretary Liam Fox warned darkly that “Europe’s defence intentions are a dangerous fantasy” that risked cutting the UK off from the US, “our closest and most powerful ally”.

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Update: EU referendum: Plans for EU army 'kept secret' until after Brexit vote (IBTimes)

WNU Editor: The EU states cannot coordinate on migration, finances, and regulations .... I doubt they will succeed in creating an EU Army .... especially with NATO in the picture.