Several MEPs demand a defense union independent of NATO: “Relying only on the USA is a dangerous game of chance”
A new inter-party alliance of MEPs calls for the rapid establishment of a European defense union, in the context in which the EU bloc marks Europe Day on Saturday.
“Relying exclusively on the United States to protect Europe is a dangerous gamble,” says a statement signed by parliamentarians from across the political spectrum, including the Germans Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Michael Gahler and Tobias Cremer, as reported by the German DPA agency, quoted by Agerpres.
They said structures were needed to allow nations to act even without US-dominated NATO in an emergency, including adequate command structures and a rapid reaction force.
EU governments say they are willing to build up their military capabilities but lack real resolve, the text says, arguing that short-term national interests continue to block real progress in defense procurement.
Joint purchases could save up to 100 billion euros annually, they say.
The statement did not mention nuclear deterrence, although German MEP Lukas Sieper said the new group would later address the politically sensitive issue.
Nuclear weapons should be abolished worldwide. But as long as powerful nations with malicious intent have them, it's better to have them ourselves, said Sieper, also a member of the group. “And if so, then better the EU than a single member state,” he added.
Europe Day marks the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, when the French foreign minister at the time, Robert Schuman, proposed pooling coal and steel production to prevent new wars. The declaration is considered the starting point of European integration and a key precursor of today's EU.
