As of: 12.09.2021 8:09 a.m.
The chairman of the Christian Democrats in the EU Parliament, Weber, has spoken out in favor of a rapid EU reaction force and a cyber defense brigade. The Americans are “no longer ready to be the world policeman”.
The CSU European politician Manfred Weber calls for the development of joint military capacities in the EU to be promoted quickly. You shouldn’t wait for the next crisis, said the leader of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the EU Parliament to the newspapers of the Funke media group. “I want the European army in the long term. But we will not reach it with just any dreams, but if we move forward step by step.”
Debate triggered by debacle in Kabul
The military dependence on the USA for the evacuation mission in Afghanistan had fueled the discussion in the EU about the establishment of a rapidly deployable reaction force with at least 5,000 soldiers. “Of course, the national armies will continue to be the main pillars of defense. But we need European capacities step by step: a European reaction force with a few thousand men. And also a cyber defense brigade,” said the CSU deputy.
Attacks on European digital infrastructure are now a “daily war on the Internet”. “With this dimension, a national approach alone is not enough.” “We have hundreds of thousands of soldiers under arms. We have no problem with the masses, but with the skills and structures. We are not able to secure the airport in Kabul. That is a question of will, of command and of enforcement,” said Weber continues.
Europe is at a turning point. The USA are “no longer ready to be the world policeman”. “Belarus, Ukraine, North Africa, the Middle East – the Americans will not solve these problems for us,” Weber said. “We must now finally take responsibility and act independently.” A stronger cooperation saves “billions in costs”. In addition, NATO will be strengthened “if Europe makes a bigger contribution”.