European Army: In Strasbourg, Merkel brings European army one step further – by Alexandra Brzozowski and Claire Stam

"A EU army to protect itself with respect to other nations"

In an eagerly awaited speech on the future of Europe before what she called ‘the biggest democratic parliament of the world’, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Tuesday (13 November) for a “real, true European army” and a common asylum framework.

Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg, she, however, did not make any concrete proposals on the reform of the eurozone, in this regard leaving the field to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposals.

The picture of the German Chancellor and her French counterpart in Compiègne, jointly marking the centennial of the Armistice that ended World War One, has made headlines – and must have left a mark on Merkel.

Recalling the lessons of the First World War and the divisions that led to the conflict, Merkel in Strasbourg endorsed the idea of a common European defence concept, clearer than she has done ever before.

“We should work on a vision of one day establishing a real, true European army,” Merkel told MEPs during her speech, drawing applause – and booing – in the chamber.

Although Merkel left open how such a step could materialise in practice, she backed the forming of a European rapid reaction force and a common arms acquisition policy. According to a previous French proposal, a small group of states could go forward and build up a powerful intervention force for crisis operations, for example in Africa.

Echoing Macron’s catch-phrase of a “European army”, she also made a huge step towards Paris. Only last week, the French president argued for more European strategic autonomy when urging that the EU should be able “to protect itself with respect to China, Russia and even the United States.”

Read more: In Strasbourg, Merkel brings European army one step further – EURACTIV.com