EU leaders are worried about defence. The United Kingdom, which is one of the biggest contributors to European defence, is headed out the door. The United States, which accounts for about 70% of total defence spending by NATO Member States (but only 22% of NATO budget contributions) had been grumbling about Europe’s reluctance to spend on defence well before Trump entered the White House. Meanwhile, global security is looking increasingly precarious.
Even without Brexit, there was a question mark over European defence capacity. The 2011 intervention in Libya (which was, on the face of it, a European-led campaign) relied heavily on the US for “intelligence-gathering aircraft, aerial refueling tankers and precision-guidance kits for bombs”. Some commentators point to the Libya intervention as proof that Europe lacks the capabilities to launch or sustain significant military operations without the US propping them up.
What do our readers think? We had a comment sent in from who Giuseppe, who thinks the EU is too dependent on the US for its security. Is he right?
In June 2019, Debating Europe attended the annual Policy Security Summit in Brussels, held by the think tank Friends of Europe. We arrived with camera in tow, and put some of your questions to attendees. The event coincided with the 70th anniversary of NATO, and focused on the “future of Europe’s strategic autonomy and its place in the world during a time of protectionism and international competition.”
To get a response to Giuseppe, at the Policy Security Summit we approached Nathalie Tocci, Director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, Honorary Professor at the University of Tübingen, and a Special Adviser to EU High Representative Federica Mogherini.
We also had a comment sent in from Diana, who argues that a more independent European security policy would be expensive. She says: “Relying on NATO is much cheaper than having to finance our own defence”. Surely, she adds, we should instead spend the additional money for our European citizens’ welfare. Is she right?
To get a response, we spoke to Jüri Luik, the Estonian Minister of Defence. What would he say?
Is EU defence policy too dependent on the US? Would a more independent European defence policy be too expensive? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
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What do YOU think?
Please- can some listen? Defense & Security remains a National Competence! Who is authorized to speak (again) on every-body else’s behalf? The DE & Co?
Once we had “the Juncker Plan”: (€315 billion “investment” target)- to create 1.4 million jobs and increase EU GDP by 1.3% by 2020. Forgotten? Actually it was via the EIB who uses this money to guarantee its financing operations to bring about European “integration and social cohesion”. What a profitable investment dream! Nobody speaks about it anymore- why?
https://ec.europa.eu/malta/news/juncker-plan-exceeds-original-%E2%82%AC315-billion-investment-target_en
Now the hard core “pan European Kameraden” (EU Federalists) are warming up again- in a never shall die fashion- for the newest push for the “Juncker EU army plan”.
French Pres- Macron: We MUST have a European Army! Macron unveils plans to build a new ‘SOVEREIGN’ force for the EU! Who is sovereign? Who pretends to be already EU sovereign (USE)- never mind “European” sovereign?
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1041491/EU-News-Macron-interview-European-Army-plan-France-president-security-Europe-latest
https://www.thelocal.de/20190122/m
Let France & Germany play their political games and become a federal state in all earnest & soonest- (of course without those who disagree- veto it) = “multi speed”
“The Aachen Treaty”: EU historians can count another ineffectual Cooperation and Integration Agreement to its proud library.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aachen_Treaty
Another waste of taxpayer’s money! Where is the EU silk road? While China has taken over approximately 360 European companies! Tragic!
Stop this nonsense please!
Sorry, but please bear with me again- EU defense= EU army= USE= ……………..?
God help us European’s if “Mr secret selfishness” or rabid federalists Mr G Verhofstadt wins the EU’s No1 seat! Even worse than outgoing JCJ!
Thus was written already in Dec 28th 2009 by “Charlemagne” in the Economist:
“Mr Verhofstadt is a federalist’s federalist. The author of books including “The United States of Europe” and “The Financial Crisis: How Europe Can Save the World”, Mr Verhofstadt dreams of a federal superstate (EU army, EU taxes, turning the European Commission into a full European Government etc etc) and makes no bones about it.”
https://www.economist.com/charlemagne/2009/12/28/the-secret-selfishness-of-federalists
This link highlights what’s behind the real “Pan European Union” movement of some journalists, Bankers, Liberals, ex royals, Verhofstadt’s & Kameraden :
https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1979/eirv06n12-19790327/eirv06n12-19790327_058-who_is_otto_von_habsburg.pdf
But, what does PAN Europe stand for? Ironically: “Pesticide Action Network Europe”. Very describing? These EU politicians are full of surprises! https://www.pan-europe.info/
Unfortunately yes. And seemingly things won’t change in a forseeable future.
Europe missed the chance to dissolve NATO when the Warsaw pact collapsed. And so yes. European defense is too dependent on US
It was always Russia that was the threat, not the Warzaw pact.
Yup
Yep!
Absolutely
Quite a lot 😕
Not “too dependent”, but rather simply “occupied” 😅
No
Yes… When we see Poland buying us jets…. Is that Europe… Where is the solidarity. We must develop common defense industry and common foreign policy
No
Yes it is. We need to invest better in our own defence.
Yes. Even the US think so. Stop talking about it and do something.
Yes. Though I see all defence as necessary evil.
Oh, I agree.
Yes
The US doesn’t have a “defence” force, they have an “assault” force, to rape, loot and pillage half of the Earth for the benefit of a tiny group of American billionaires… The further we distance ourselves from those terrorists the better…
Some countrys are as big as 150 on 150 mil how in godsname can they pay it ( Belgium …..)
by spending 2% of the BNP?
with 10 billion € of debt in 2019 ???? With 10 mil people ? 👍🙄 OMG realy
We payed 17 billion € for 15 F35,🙏🙏🙏 who’s going to pay that ?
Yes of course
For sure!
The EU doesn’t really have a defense, policy to start with and is subsequently dependent on all others who do, including the US of course
We have the money, the Manpower ,the weapens and other goals then the americans,why not.Trump want a war with Iran Now ,n Korea is forgotten.We had a deal with that country and that fool wants even boycot oure firms who trade with Iran.Is this really an ally?
Since the creation of NATO (North America’s Terrorist Organisation) in 1949, Europe depends too much of U$A for its defense.
Yes it is!
Terorist NO1
Yes especially in Belgium…NATO is still great IMO but European nations should still be able to at least hold of a potential Russian invasion and not rely on Americans being there to do all the work.
We know guy verhofstad wants a eu army and empire his words
No need the USA in europe.the just nothing speciale.why need no help from you.
We need the US here… the marshall plan was the best plan in history. A real european love the us and them to stay. Dont ASK what iT cost ,ASK what it brings
the “Marshall plan” was, indeed, the best plan to make all Europe a slave of the U$A. It was only conceived to give to U$ industries and banks the opportunity to earn hughe amount of money – that U$ “help” was not free. It bringue Europe the destruction of culture(s), tradition(s), history…
the destruction of europe becomes by the people they left the way of faith and belive.
The result? We have a small grow of children like germany 1.2 children each family . But we need 3 for a growing stabil infrastrukur and investmenst.
So we need immigrants- and they are by origin not eurpean.
Thats why u feel losing ur culture…
the second and most importend-!
Only germany exports for 1.3 trillion dollar a year- it becomes the second biggest econony from the world .
By this way germany spend almost 400 billion € for exports by european neighbours.
All the results by the marshal plan …
Thank u Uncle Sam
The Marshal plan was great, and it is great that the US is helping US with our defence.
But we could and we should do it in our own. We could start with a united air force and navy.
Chau Do we have the choice anyway?
I’m sure Europe could defend itself, the threat is low, but the support from the US doesn’t hurt.
Europe should have a united army. It would be so much more efficient.
yeah right they cant even handel terrorisme! 🤨 or immigration!
neither can the US. Those issues are complicated, but one must try.
The US is just lucky to have an ocean between them and the places where they created total chaos during the war on terrorism. They cause most of the chaos, but the refugees and terrorism come to Europe.
A trickle of the refugees make their way to Europe. The deals the EU have with Turkey and Libya are very effective.
“too dependent” ???
Full dependent, absolutely!!!!
Double edge sword, that cuts both ways , with one swing.
Is EU defence policy too dependent on the US?
A leaflet of consent to raise a European Army should be sent to every European household within the 27 asking for consent to use their money, given in taxes, to do this. They should also be made aware that should they vote for such a policy they and their children, both male and female, would be conscripted for any war, should it arise from having such an army.
Does Greece still have conscription? Israel does. I wonder how Switzerland manages to remain impartial? And how would they take to being included in war?
Yes
We Europeans don’t need US imperialism!
Who is going to attact the EU? The USA wants an european army to help them in their wars in the middle east.
The russians will be quicker in Paris than the germans…
Absolutely
I love russia
More like fully dependent.
back such an outrage of those eu politicians and their outrageous over-paid environment, who think they should reinvent existing business… uff…
Too dependent!
As Britain leaves (if it does) the EU, the latter has a golden opportunity to unite a majority of its members for a step towards a common defence policy. Let’s not forget that the Malo agreement between Britain and France was a British ploy to say “leave it to us nuclear powers, and we will deliver a common defence policy”. For its part, France had been the mortician of the EDC in 1954. As Britain continues to look across the Atlantic, even when the US is lead by a paranoic, one can only hope that the remaining EU finds the courage to do what it nearly did with the CED some 65 years ago. Of course, to avoid economic sanctions, we need also to international the EURO by creating Eurobonds and completing Banking Union. If we don’t, we will have only ourselves to blame for losing sovereignty in a world in which middle countries are no players. Of course, if Britain were to remain, we will continue to be stuck, because the EU cannot function if one of its major member states, which joined reluctantly and held two referendums to leave, were to inject its indecisiveness into an EU which, in times of populism, is already difficult enough to manage.
Fully agreed! Very brilliant analysis.
Dr. Corrado Pirzio-Biroli is a distinguished EU diplomat & no stranger to support EU federalism and the pan European Idea of yesteryear & today. This honorable EU diplomat seems also not best friends with the UK.
No surprise his roots can be found with German Adeligen Fey von Hassell
One man one vote!
http://www.risefoundation.eu/images/files/CVs/CV_CPB.pdf
Yes!
The EU Defense doesn’t even exist. Unfortunately we are 100% dependent on the USA.
Quite the contrary. It exists very much, however, it relies on more than yelling “Hulk smash!” and bombing everything into oblivion.
The USA have contributed very little to our safety of late, instead destabilizing Europe thanks to their adventures in the Middle East.
Sorry, but I don’t see the “millions”, you mention as a problem.
probably don’t live near them then
Yes
Nope, just a few countries have US bases with US troops in them. Years ago that could have been called occupation
We have many threats building up around Europe’s borders and yet we are still in deep sleep. US interests unfortunately clash sometimes with Europes but we cannot act out of NATO strongly influenced by US foreign policy. If Europe wants to become a serious game player in the world then it must create its own military force and have a strong foreign policy to be able to stick up for the member countries. Who will defend for example the Eurozone if one of these countries is attacked? The consequences will be catastrophic for the entire Eurozone so what are we waiting?
Yes!
yes. should it be? no.
Yes it is and cannot protect its vital interests in the region hence the weak foreign policy.
Maybe if countries other than the UK and Poland paid 2% of gdp into nato like they should do??? Just saying
sorry I didn’t realise Bulgaria does too. A lot of rebuilding required from the soviet era I assume, you guys will get there with the it sector booming in Bulgaria
Germany will be blamed for either having or not-having a 2% Military. Once es would, people would feel bullied
I think Germany uses financial conquest now
Bulgaria pays 2% of GDP for their defense. Yet we have one of the worst armies in Europe. The USA tricked us to buy their F-16 planes.
EU defence policy is more than dependent.
We are not a continente that likes war but we should unite and protect ourselves
sorry? In the last 100 yrs millions were killed in two massive wars caused by European countries, that doesn’t include the Spanish civil was and the millions killed by the soviet Union
But I think and hope that we have finally grown up.
just pointing out that we obviously have liked war in some countries. Europe won’t work together as Germany always seek to dominate either militarily or financially. France will always think they are bigger than they are, Italy, Greece and Spain are virtually bankrupt. All thanks to the eu and the euro. When will the elites learn we want to be individual nations and not some European blob?
As for Germany its the rest ´s fault as for the french they are no better than anybody look at their internal situation. As for for the others they should stop living off the hand outs of the EU like my country Portugal who is governed by corrupt polititions. We once were a world power and had our polititions not been corrupt for decades we could still be.
Thank God we are depend on the US. Europe could not lead in a 1000 years and never will
Well, your question should be : does NATO ensure European defence? Does Europe sleep on that?…
Because alternatively we should get out of NATO. Form the european military. Take matters seriously.
And redirect the budget.
Euro corps AND NATO… No.
yes
Oh dear!
It is non existing at all
Yes we need to stockpile nuclear weapons.
why not just claim the american nukes as our own?
Also good :)
while we are at it, why not ALSO claim their bases and weapons and militairy arsenals they stashed here !
Long overdue, if you ask me
Of course, if Europe wants to be a world player, it needs a military component independent of the USA. The States now hijack European foreign policy, because we are dependent. The USA acts in it’s own interests, which are not in the interest of Europe.
We should kick us military out of europe. Yankee go home!
My personal opinion is that EU should have its own defence that collaborates and coordinates with the US. The US and EU have different military agendas. That NATO sucks when a NATO member can invade another NATO member and NATO does nothing to the aggressor. E.g Turkey invading and occupying Cyprus. Turkey threatening Greece, trying to steal the seas of Greece and Cyprus because they have resources. If the EU invests in an EU army and don’t use it to defend EU members than it shouldn’t bother doing it at all.
Yep too independant. In the short and medium term NATO is essential from a strictly military point. In the long term europeans should get a autonomous defense. SCAF is an example to follow.
At industrial level american companies are too present in our defense program. Our Export Control policiy must be reinforced. We need more european actors in the defense market. Airbus is the example to follow.
We need a european strategic council outside any alliance. Think about how protect our different flanks (Mediteranean and so on) and Space strategy.
It’s time to move forward on European defense and be less independant on the US. Our strategic division is a weakness exploited too easily by others powers like US, China, Russia and Turkey.
Yes France spend money for the defense of Europe. Germany should pay for it…
Yes! EU should have its own defence and not follow US geopolitical adventures!
We have a social state because we dont spend on defense.
We should spent more and still keep NATO, cause China sucks