A new cross-party alliance of MEPs is calling for the rapid establishment of a European defence union as the bloc marks Europe Day on Saturday.
“Relying solely on the United States to protect Europe is a dangerous gamble,” says a statement signed by lawmakers from across the political spectrum, including Germany’s Marie-Agnes Strack-Zimmermann, Michael Gahler, and Tobias Cremer.
They said structures are needed to enable nations to act even without the U.S.-dominated NATO in an emergency, including appropriate command structures and a rapid-reaction force.
EU governments say they are willing to strengthen military capabilities but lack real determination, the statement indicated, arguing that short-term national interests have continued to block real progress in buying defence equipment.
Joint procurement could save up to 100 billion euros (117 billion dollars) annually, they say.
The declaration does not mention nuclear deterrence, though German MEP Lukas Sieper said the new grouping would address this politically sensitive issue later.
Nuclear weapons should be abolished worldwide.
However, as long as powerful nations with malicious intentions possess them, it is 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 commemorates the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, when then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed pooling coal and steel production to prevent further wars.
The declaration is seen as the starting point of European integration and a key precursor to today’s EU.
