Vergennes
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Look at those butthurt anglo-saxons in the comment sections. 
They don't like when latin countries are leaders.
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France pulled out of Nato in 1966 and rejoined in 2009
A well-placed Nato source said Paris was concentrating its diplomatic efforts on creating the pan-European force, over which it believes it would wield more control than the existing North Atlantic military alliance.
The Belgium-based Nato source told Express.co.uk French officials were directing their energy towards an EU army at the expense of its existing military obligations.
France pulled out of the US-led alliance in 1966 and only rejoined seven years ago, despite deep reservations at the time about forfeiting its military independence.
Now it appears fresh doubts are being raised in Paris about Washington's dominance in Nato.
Asked if any member states were not pulling their weight in the multi-national alliance, a Nato representative speaking to Express.co.uk on condition of anonymity named France as one of the culprits.
The source claimed Paris was frustrated with its lack of say and would rather concentrate on an EU army which it could better influence.
When France rejoined Nato in 2009 it made several demands, including maintaining full discretion over France's contribution to joint military operations.
It also insisted on maintaining its nulcear independence, opting out of Nato's Nuclear Planning Group, which determines the Alliance's nuclear policy.
But Nato insists France has been a "faithful ally" to the alliance despite its 40-year break.
France and Germany have been vocal in their support of a combined EU force in recent years, as both nations push for further European integration.
A German white paper leaked earlier this month revealed Berlin was pushing for permanent cooperation between EU member states' national armies.
It follows sustained French calls for an EU army, with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls claiming last year that such a force already existed.
He said at the time: "We hope to make progress with the European defence policy, which is indispensable in light of the peace and security challenges that Europe faces from its surrounding countries, to which we must find a common response."
Nato commanders acknowledge that some of the alliance's 28 members will commit fewer resources than others, as contributions to the bloc are calculated on the basis of gross national income.
Diplomats in London and Washington have also publicly warned against European free-riders.
Nato insists France has been a “faithful ally” to the alliance
Sir Adam Thomson, Britain's Permanent Representative to Nato, said in a recent interview that "Europeans do need to start pulling their weight when it comes to investing in defence".
He said: "Europe should not expect to lean so heavily on the United States to bankroll Europe's security and defence. The UK feels able to stand up and say this because we are one of regrettably very few Nato countries that has met, and will continue to meet, all Nato's spending targets."
France has failed to meet the Nato requirement of 2 per cent defence spending as a proportion of GDP.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and French president Francois Hollande
But the French still pay a large portion of Nato’s budget - 10.6 per cent of the alliance’s total spend compared with 9.8 per cent attributed to the UK and 22.1 per cent claimed by the US.
A French Nato source questioned about the country’s low profile told Express.co.uk the French contribution to the military alliance was a matter for France’s defence minister.
The comments follows renewed claims of an EU deal to form a defensive alliance.
A policy paper drawn up by Brussels' foreign policy chief suggests the organisation could "step up" its contribution to security defence.
The British Government responded to the reports by insisting there were no plans to join an EU army.
A spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly made clear that the UK will never be a part of an EU army. We retain a veto on all defence matters in the EU and we will oppose any measures which would undermine member states' military forces."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/674596/France-neglecting-Nato-focus-creation-EU-army
They don't like when latin countries are leaders.
-
France pulled out of Nato in 1966 and rejoined in 2009
A well-placed Nato source said Paris was concentrating its diplomatic efforts on creating the pan-European force, over which it believes it would wield more control than the existing North Atlantic military alliance.
The Belgium-based Nato source told Express.co.uk French officials were directing their energy towards an EU army at the expense of its existing military obligations.
France pulled out of the US-led alliance in 1966 and only rejoined seven years ago, despite deep reservations at the time about forfeiting its military independence.
Now it appears fresh doubts are being raised in Paris about Washington's dominance in Nato.
Asked if any member states were not pulling their weight in the multi-national alliance, a Nato representative speaking to Express.co.uk on condition of anonymity named France as one of the culprits.
The source claimed Paris was frustrated with its lack of say and would rather concentrate on an EU army which it could better influence.
When France rejoined Nato in 2009 it made several demands, including maintaining full discretion over France's contribution to joint military operations.
It also insisted on maintaining its nulcear independence, opting out of Nato's Nuclear Planning Group, which determines the Alliance's nuclear policy.
But Nato insists France has been a "faithful ally" to the alliance despite its 40-year break.
France and Germany have been vocal in their support of a combined EU force in recent years, as both nations push for further European integration.
A German white paper leaked earlier this month revealed Berlin was pushing for permanent cooperation between EU member states' national armies.
It follows sustained French calls for an EU army, with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls claiming last year that such a force already existed.
He said at the time: "We hope to make progress with the European defence policy, which is indispensable in light of the peace and security challenges that Europe faces from its surrounding countries, to which we must find a common response."
Nato commanders acknowledge that some of the alliance's 28 members will commit fewer resources than others, as contributions to the bloc are calculated on the basis of gross national income.
Diplomats in London and Washington have also publicly warned against European free-riders.
Nato insists France has been a “faithful ally” to the alliance
Sir Adam Thomson, Britain's Permanent Representative to Nato, said in a recent interview that "Europeans do need to start pulling their weight when it comes to investing in defence".
He said: "Europe should not expect to lean so heavily on the United States to bankroll Europe's security and defence. The UK feels able to stand up and say this because we are one of regrettably very few Nato countries that has met, and will continue to meet, all Nato's spending targets."
France has failed to meet the Nato requirement of 2 per cent defence spending as a proportion of GDP.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and French president Francois Hollande
But the French still pay a large portion of Nato’s budget - 10.6 per cent of the alliance’s total spend compared with 9.8 per cent attributed to the UK and 22.1 per cent claimed by the US.
A French Nato source questioned about the country’s low profile told Express.co.uk the French contribution to the military alliance was a matter for France’s defence minister.
The comments follows renewed claims of an EU deal to form a defensive alliance.
A policy paper drawn up by Brussels' foreign policy chief suggests the organisation could "step up" its contribution to security defence.
The British Government responded to the reports by insisting there were no plans to join an EU army.
A spokesman said: "The Prime Minister has repeatedly made clear that the UK will never be a part of an EU army. We retain a veto on all defence matters in the EU and we will oppose any measures which would undermine member states' military forces."
http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/674596/France-neglecting-Nato-focus-creation-EU-army
