Brexit might spark creation of EU army as Europe may be unable to rely on NATO without Britain as a member
Foreign affairs chief urged the bloc to do more in its own defence as they discussed life without the UK
BREXIT might have sparked the creation of an EU army after its foreign affairs chief warned that Europe will be unable to rely on NATO for its military without Britain as a member.
Federica Mogherini urged the bloc to do more in its own defence while the continent’s leaders discussed how the UK’s historic vote to leave would result in the loss of a major power in the bloc.
She said on Tuesday: “As Europeans we must take greater responsibility for our security.
“We must be ready and able to deter, respond to and protect ourselves against external threats.”
Mogherini’s comments were in a policy review submitted to European Union leaders meeting in Brussels.
An EU army has always been vigorously opposed by Britain and David Cameron, despite being an active contributor to the currently very limited cross-country military operations.
And it played a key part in Boris Johnson's calls for Britain to vote to leave in last week's referendum.
But Mogherini's review lays down ambitious goals in the face of new security challenges in the east of the union.
This is highlighted by the Ukraine situation and the on-going refugee crisis in the south, driven by turmoil across Africa and the Middle East.
The review, a year in the making, says: “While NATO exists to defend its members - most of which are European - from external attack, Europeans must be better equipped, trained and organised to contribute decisively to such collective efforts, as well as to act autonomously if and when necessary.
“An appropriate level of ambition and strategic autonomy is important for Europe's ability to foster peace and safeguard security within and beyond its borders.”
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Discussions on the potential to create a full EU army were meant to be the top priority of the two-day summit of national leaders, but the Brexit vote bumped it down.
Mogherini had been tasked with drawing up the 'Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy' last year as Europe struggled to deal with its worst migrant situation since World War II.
And Britain would be a key element in any more ambitious EU security strategy, given its status as a nuclear-armed and veto-wielding permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Only France matches this standing while Germany, the most powerful EU member state, is very wary of any foreign military involvement.
Mogherini has consistently argued the EU should play a global role in keeping with its status as one of the world's largest economies.
