ANGELA MERKEL: EU CANNOT COMPLETELY RELY ON US AND BRITAIN ANY MORE - GUARDIAN

[flamer84]

I hope so. It's time the American taxpayer stopped having to pay for rich European's defense.

Your economy and power relies on the stronghold you keep on the world.It is Europe who'said being used so you can push your narrative.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Together with the others rallied around them.

There's always a leader by default in everything.
I thing France is well positioned to lead this E.U army .

 

[Vergennes]

I would like to see that.

Me too. It's time for Europeans to rely only themselves,not count on anyone to organize their proper defence. But many European countries have to hike their defence spendings as most of the burden can't be shared only between 2 countries or some others. Maybe that's a point I agree with the Americans.

Europe has an amazing defence industry,we have the financial ressources for our ambitions,but we lack the political will. A part from that,we have nothing to be jealous of the US.

France and Germany have some ambitious views,now they must "export them" to other EU countries.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Or create a single EU Army in which case 2% will suffice.

They haven't met that target for over a decade, despite constant pressure from U.S and U.K , what makes you think they will increase it to that amount?
Germany isn't fond of any sort of offensive military operations , the few they have been involved in is because of U.S,U.K led invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq to a lesser extent. Most of their operations is limited to reconnaissance, or non fighting missions. I do understand them though, given the country's denazification and the impact that had on Germans. So I'm afraid this E.U army won't be of much value to be honest. Maybe peacekeeping operations (which already done by U N and NATO missions anyway.).

 

[Pandora]

I hope so. It's time the American taxpayer stopped having to pay for rich European's defense.

You dont pay them because they need that money but for their symbolic loyalty. The day US stops funding corupt leader of this world will be the day of true blessing but we all know that will never happen.

 

[Desertfalcon]

Your economy and power relies on the stronghold you keep on the world.It is Europe who'said being used so you can push your narrative.

1. Our economy does not rely on us keeping troops in Europe. 2. "Used"? If they are so used then why do they always panic anytime an American president talks about reducing our military presence there? Secondly, you mean the same Europe that American soldiers fought and died for in two world wars, (that the Europeans have been tremendously grateful for.), yes?

French citizens honoring American dead who fought to liberate France

You dont pay them because they need that money but for their symbolic loyalty. The day US stops funding corupt leader of this world will be the day of true blessing but we all know that will never happen.

Corrupt European leaders? Merkel? May? Macron? And how are they so corrupt? You mean corrupt compared to Pakistan's governments?

 

[-SINAN-]

France and Germany have some ambitious views,now they must "export them" to other EU countries.

I understand France, but Germany ?

Weren't you guys saying, Germany keeping themselves back while you were pushing them for a more active role ?

 

[CBU-105]

This is not a new thing.

American presidents have tried and failed for decades now to get a lot of the NATO members to pony up and contribute a full 2% of their GDP. Obama was trying till his last NATO summit, and failed.

Trump might just be the guy who affects positive change for the American taxpayer and gets them to finally pay up.

I find his blusterous style quite refreshing (and entertaining). They're not going to bully him, they tried, got a scolding, and now the EU is (hopefully) about to be bitch slapped by Trump who pulls out of the 2015 Paris accord.

https://twitter.com/x/status/869903459511918592

lol

 

[KediKesenFare3]

There could be an Euro-Anglosaxon conflict regarding Turkey's affiliation. Germans aren't dumb. They either won't include nations like Greece and Cyprus or they will invite Turkey too to be a part of this army.

Interesting times ahead.

 

[PaklovesTurkiye]

There could be an Euro-Anglosaxon conflict regarding Turkey's affiliation. Germans aren't dumb. They either won't include nations like Greece and Cyprus or they will invite Turkey too to be a part of this army.

Interesting times ahead.

Europe as a whole is not willing to accept Turkey as EU partner. How can they make you part of EU army without getting you membership of EU...?? Just curious so asked

 

[-SINAN-]

Europe as a whole is not willing to accept Turkey as EU partner. How can they make you part of EU army without getting you membership of EU...?? Just curious so asked

I remember this EU army discussion from the past...At that time our leaders made it clear that Turkey won't be contributing to a EU army without being member to EU. (Not that a EU army needs Turkey though)

 

[KediKesenFare3]

In this case, only nations with no ongoing military conflicts will be allowed to join this club. That's why Georgia and Ukraine aren't members of Nato. Though I'm not really sure about this. However, if Greece and Cyprus become part of this new European military organisation, Brussels will have to deal with Russia and a pro-UK Turkey on its Eastern and Southeastern flanks.

 

[war&peace]

EU has no direct enemies. Russia, China have no issues with EU and vice-versa. They want to engage in trade and other economic activities. Germany and many EU countries want the cheap gas from Russia. Similarly, they want to trade with China and other countries under FTAs etc. However, USA is trying to scare them off by portraying Russia and China as their enemies.

 

[-SINAN-]

However, if Greece and Cyprus become part of this new European military organisation, Brussels will have to deal with Russia and a pro-UK Turkey on its Eastern and Southeastern flanks.

Greece and Turkey are both NATO members....a conflict between them are near to zero.

I mean even the invasion of Cyprus didn't trigger a war between Greece and Turkey.

 

[KediKesenFare3]

Europe as a whole is not willing to accept Turkey as EU partner. How can they make you part of EU army without getting you membership of EU...?? Just curious so asked

No, Turkey won't join EU and this is good from my perspective. But if Germans and French secretly conclude that they're benefitting from Turkey's military partnership, they definitely will figure out a way to make this somehow possible.