We are not building European Army: Top EU diplomat

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said Tuesday the bloc will not build a European army.

Speaking at a news conference following the EU Council for Foreign Affairs in Brussels, Federica Mogherini said the EU will not turn into a military alliance.

"We are a political union. There is no competition, there is no mention of the idea to substitute ... We are not building a European Army, here nobody is talking about a European Army."

The top diplomat said the EU was investing to make sure that member states "have the capabilities to provide more to their own defense and then be more credible, more reliable, more active security providers in in our region and the in the world."

Mogherini underlined that the member states had one set of forces to use for EU purposes, missions and operations, for NATO operations, for UN peace-keeping missions, and for bilateral and multilateral use.

Earlier this month Germany and France called for creating an "EU army" to reduce dependence on the U.S. for their security.

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said Tuesday the bloc will not build a European army.

Speaking at a news conference following the EU Council for Foreign Affairs in Brussels, Federica Mogherini said the EU will not turn into a military alliance.

"We are a political union. There is no competition, there is no mention of the idea to substitute ... We are not building a European Army, here nobody is talking about a European Army."

Earlier this month Germany and France called for creating an "EU army" to reduce dependence on the U.S. for their security.