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Merkel/EuropeBack
[Published: Tuesday November 13 2018]

 Chancellor Merkel calls for a 'real, true' European army

 
STRASBOURG, France 13 Nov (ANA) - Angela Merkel called for the creation of a 'real, true' European army during a speech to EU ministers on Tuesday in a rebuke to President Trump.

The German Chancellor also called for a European Security Council that would be responsible for coordinating defence policy across the continent.

Merkel spoke out after French President Emmanuel Macron floated the same idea last week, and hours after Donald Trump lambasted him for it on Twitter.

Trump joked that Parisians 'were starting to learn German before the U.S. came along' in the Second World War and told EU leaders to pay their fair share to NATO.

In her speech, which was about the future of the EU, Merkel said: 'What is really important, if we look at the developments of the past year, is that we have to work on a vision of one day creating a real, true European army.

She said the new army would work in conjunction with NATO, but added that 'only a stronger Europe is going to defend Europe.'

'Europe must take our fate into our own hands if we want to protect our community,' she said.

The remark drew widespread applause and a smattering of boos from watching lawmakers. 

Macron made the same suggestion last week in an interview with TV station Europe 1 when he spoke about Russian aggression and Trump's decision to withdraw from a key Cold War missile pact.   

He said: 'I believe in the project of a sovereign Europe. We won’t protect Europe if we don’t decide to have a true European army. 

'We have to have a Europe that can defend itself alone - and without only relying on the United States in a more sovereign manner.

'We should protect ourselves when it comes to China, Russia and even the United States of America.'

That last remark angered Trump, who met with Macron on Friday last week and tweeted before the meeting: 'President Macron of France has just suggested that Europe build its own military in order to protect itself from the US, China and Russia.

'Very insulting, but perhaps Europe should first pay its fair share of NATO, which the US subsidizes greatly!' 

The French government insists that Macron meant Europe needs to protect itself from decisions the US makes - such as withdrawing from the missile treaty - and not from an invasion, though Trump seems to have interpreted it differently.

Shortly before Merkel spoke, Trump rekindled the feud on Twitter, writing: 'Macron suggests building its own army to protect Europe against the U.S., China and Russia. 

'But it was Germany in World Wars One & Two - How did that work out for France? They were starting to learn German in Paris before the U.S. came along. 

Trump also bashed Macron for his low approval rating in France and being unfair to the US on trade.

The spat marks a major falling-out for the two world leaders, who had previously shared a friendship which made Macron Trump's closest ally in Europe.(ANA)
FA/ANA/13 November 2018------ 
 

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