Juncker: EU needs stronger defence arm
EU nations must step up their
military co-operation as they cannot simply rely on the US to defend
them, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says.
"Our deference to Nato can no longer be used as a convenient alibi to argue against greater European efforts.
"We
have no other choice than to defend our own interests in the Middle
East, in climate change, in our trade agreements," he said in Prague.
US President Donald Trump has urged Nato allies to boost defence spending.
Last
month German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Europe could no longer
"completely depend" on the US and UK, following the election of
President Trump and the triggering of Brexit.
The UK and France
are by far the strongest military powers in the EU, so UK withdrawal
potentially weakens Europe's collective military muscle.
BBC NEWS
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