War, Europe (European Army)

Newsletter 2010/09/09 - War, Europe's Backbone


BERLIN/BRUSSELS (Own report) - Politicians in Berlin are using the German imposed dictate of EU austerity to renew the demand for the creation of an EU Army. The strict application of the so-called stability criteria, put through by the German government, imposes drastic austerity measures on all EU member states, which could even cut into their military budgets, according to Berlin. This cannot be achieved except at the expense of a loss of military power, unless steps are taken toward consolidating all of the individual armed forces in Europe using the synergic effects to reinforce the united European army. Berlin has been pursuing this objective for years, confronting - at times open - resistance inside the EU as well as from the United States. Germany has been pushing these plans to enhance its position - with military means - in the new constellation of global forces being created by China's rise to become a world power. The German liberal press explains that a combat-ready EU Army would "almost be like a new backbone for Europe."

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http://www.german-foreign-policy.com/en/fulltext/57867