Germany's Angela Merkel says Europe must work with US in security and defence

314
3
Germany's Angela Merkel says Europe must work with US in security and defence

This may include adverts from us and 3 rd parties based on our understanding. Speaking to Politico, the German politician said that the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan showed that Europe must cooperate with America rather than move further away from it. There is a lot of talk about European autonomy, or sovereignty, or — as I prefer to call it — more ability to act from the European Union in security and defence. People are asking why we were not in a position to hold the airport in Kabul ourselves. We have to say quite openly: Without the capabilities of the Americans, we would not have been able to do that as Europeans. She added that if we detach ourselves from America with the idea of strategic autonomy propagated by the French President, then I think that is the wrong way to go. The French leader also renewed his ambition for an EU army when the UK, Australia and the US signed a new partnership to counteract threats in the Indo-Pacific, leaving France short of a lucrative submarines deal with Australia. But Ms Kramp-Karrenbauer said: I can understand the annoyance of France. However, it is to be noted that it was first of all a bilateral question of armament between two states. She urged the French leader to get over the problematic decision made by the AUKUS nations, adding: It s good that there has been a debate between France and the United States. READ MORE: Macron's EU dreams crushed as Brussels chiefs turn their backs on him.

Because in view of the challenges that China poses for us, I believe it needs the full force of the West. What we cannot afford right now is to be divided on this issue. She continued: It is not a question of building our own European structures. We actually have possibilities at the European level: we have bi- and tri-national units and we have European battlegroups. It is a question of how to make the processes better. How can we make better use of the national capabilities we have on a European level, which can also be used by NATO? Brexit LIVE: UK firm sees EU business surge 'five-fold' LIVE BLOG Britain secures 'world leading' 2.3 bn trade deal with New Zealand INSIGHT French fishermen turn on Macron as Brexit battle with UK backfires ANALYSIS The comments came as NATO defence ministers are set to agree a new plan to defend against any potential Russian attack on multiple fronts, reaffirming the alliance's core goal of deterring Moscow despite a growing focus on China The confidential strategy aims to prepare for any simultaneous attack in the Baltic and the Black Sea regions that could include nuclear weapons, hacking of computer networks and assaults from space. It recognises a more 21st century threat and how to deal with it, British defence minister Ben Wallace told reporters. Officials stress that they do not believe any Russian attack is imminent. Moscow denies any aggressive intentions and says it is NATO that risks destabilising Europe with such preparations.