Emmanuel Macron's EU army plans dealt huge blow – 'Countries are concerned'

Emmanuel Macron has been one of the most outspoken proponents of a European Union-wide army to help the bloc stop relying on military support from the United States. But security expert Alexandre Vautravers has warned the French president his eagerness could actually backfire as smaller EU countries are growing “concerned” about the implications of such a project. Speaking to France 24, Mr Vautravers said: “European countries, perhaps some of the smaller countries, are concerned with the fact that France – which has been an extremely interventionist country throughout the world – would be placed essentially at the helm of such a foreign policy of defence and security.

“There are many neutral countries within the European Union – how would this affect their constitution? Another problematic is nuclear weapons.”

At least five countries in the EU – namely Austria, Malta, Ireland, Finland and Sweden – have repeatedly claimed they remain “militarily non-aligned” despite Brussels increasing efforts to establish a common military response force.

Mr Vautravers continued: “The previous initiative by President Macron has been to tie, link closer, the French with the German seat at the UN Security Council, or having the possibility to share it, and this was linked to the possibility of sharing strategic forces which means nuclear deterrence capabilities that are in the hands of France.

“That would technically constitute a violation of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.”

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The security expert added: “A number of countries are very concerned because it’s not clear what this initiative is going to look like in one year’s time or five year’s time.”

Mr Macron last year claimed the EU would not be “protected” until all European Union members states agreed to the need for a “real European army”.

Speaking to Europe 1 to defend his support for the EU Army project, the French President said in November: “I believe in a project of a sovereign Europe, a powerful Europe.

“We won’t protect Europeans if we don’t settle on having a real European Army.”

The German politician said last year: “A European army is a vision that might become a reality in generations to come.

“What we see today and what we already achieved is the first concrete step on this way. By giving birth to the European Defence Union, we have started to build what I like to call the ‘army of the Europeans’.

“We maintain national armies, under the authority of sovereign states, but better coordinated and mutually reinforcing.”

However, members of the European Parliament, including from Ms von Der Leyen’s own home country, have expressed criticism at her nomination and the European Greens last week announced they would not support her candidacy when the Parliament is called to confirm her later this month. 

source: express.co.uk