Emmanuel Macron has said that European Union member states need to “play a larger role in its own defense”. The French President hit back at suggestions that the EU pushing ahead with its defence plans was “incompatible” with NATO. Mr Macron said that with the US changing its focus to the Pacific-Asia region, “we need Europe to deal with our neighbourhood”.
Speaking to the Munich Security Conference, he said: “I do believe in NATO.
“But NATO needs a new political momentum and clarification of its strategic concept. NATO needs a more political approach.
“I believe that the best possible involvement of Europe within NATO is to be much more in charge of its own security and more in charge of its strategic autonomy.
“This is totally compatible. It will make NATO even stronger than before.”
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In response to a question at the conference, Mr Macron said his concept of “European strategic autonomy” in defence did not mean he wanted to drift away from the US but instead would make Europe a more reliable partner.
He added that the EU should not be “dependent” on the US for security, adding: “The EU and its key member states have to be part of the solution of their own security”.
Mr Macron continued: “The US has become a Pacific power, which is mainly looking at China and Asia.
“I do believe the best possible involvement of Europe within NATO is to be much more in charge of its own security.”
Mr Macron told the FT: “I am a defender of European sovereignty, of strategic autonomy, not because I’m against NATO or because I doubt our American friends, but because I am lucid on the state of the world.
“Because I think we need a fair sharing of the burden and Europe cannot delegate its protection and the protection of its neighbourhood to the USA and so we have to do it together.”
Since his election in 2017, Mr Macron has been pushing for the EU to stand on its own feet when it comes to defence and no longer rely solely on US military protection.
Last year, Mr Macron stunned NATO allies by saying NATO was “experiencing brain death”.
He later insisted his attack on NATO was a necessary wake-up call for the transatlantic military alliance.