Reality or Wish? - EU Commission President Calls for European Army

2015-03-09T21:57:05-04:00

Juncker, who has been a longstanding advocate of an EU army, said getting EU member states to combine militarily would make spending more efficient and would encourage further European integration.

"Such an army would help us design a common foreign and security policy," the former prime minister of Luxembourg said.

"Europe's image has suffered dramatically and also in terms of foreign policy, we don't seem to be taken entirely seriously."

Juncker also said he did not want a new force to challenge the role of Nato. In Germany some political figures expressed support for Juncker's idea, but in Britain the government insisted that the idea was unacceptable.

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EU Commission President Calls for European Army

The European Union needs its own army to face up to Russia and other threats., EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a German newspaper

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 3:52 AM

2015-03-10T03:52:03-04:00

Horrible idea. European countries need to maintain their own respective armed forces but be willing to pool together resources/intelligence/manpower when it's necessary to eliminate threats.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 10 at 2015 5:24 AM

2015-03-10T05:24:40-04:00

As MAJ (Servicemember) and SSG Private RallyPoint Member have said it is a horrible idea. Each country's military has their own history and tradition that needs to be preserved. It is one of those ideas that it briefs well but would be utter chaos to implement. I do think maybe a joint QRF would be the best.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2015 6:04 AM

2015-03-10T06:04:16-04:00

It reminds me of another thread that spoke about blending the US into one military.

On a larger scale, there are so many individual history, traditions, mores, etc. Conceptually, it seems logical, but realistically, it would be exceptionally challenging to say the least.

On the upside, what a h*ll of a Happy Hour/Thirsty Thursday it would be! :)

Response by SSG Norman Lihou made Mar 10 at 2015 1:44 PM

2015-03-10T13:44:21-04:00

I think that this is more wishful thinking since most of the European countries cannot even meet their dedicated spending for NATO, going through budget cuts for their own country; it begs the question on where they would find money for this army. The EU as a whole has enough economic problems that if you look to fund it from EU funds, it could drive other countries to question EU.