 French President Emmanuel Macron (photo: EPA) |
President Macron said the EU should be more independent from US security policy and should rely more on themselves. Macron’s vision of a Europe with greater military power is a vision of EU security independence.
Vision of a Europe with new military power
Macron referred specifically to Europe's nuclear assets, pointing out a key difference from the Cold War era when Europe's nuclear shield was primarily coordinated by the US. Macron said they need a much stronger Europe in defense. He emphasized that greater European military cooperation, necessary "due to reasons of sovereignty," is "not a project against NATO or instead of NATO." While Macron believes Europe needs the ability to act independently, he feels nuclear issues need to be managed in cooperation with NATO.
Macron’s presentation echoed an initiative on EU security by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the Munich Security Conference.
The German leaders argued for building an EU security and defense alliance as a pillar of NATO. The German government is ready to play a stronger role in the EU military policy. German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer has called on Berlin to evoke greater defense efforts from Europe.
NATO misgivings
A Europe with stronger military power is not what NATO wants. When the EU first suggested forming a joint military force, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed EU plans to boost defense capabilities and spending, but also cautioned against duplicating military efforts and alienating the US. He warned European members of NATO against undermining transatlantic ties by building a European military. Speaking to the media on the sideline of the Munich Security Conference, Stoltenberg said NATO has developed weapons in Europe and can ensure security for the EU.
The French President said security in Europe has two pillars. One is NATO and the other is Europe’s own defense. Both pillars protect the EU’s sovereignty. The EU’s security responsibility is not only to increase its military budget but to become more independent of US security policy.
Although they share many common values and have cooperated in many big operations, the EU and NATO have their own interests, which have led to different approaches on many issues, particularly since President Donald Trump took office. The US has been pressuring EU countries to take on more of the burden of NATO.
EU countries have been uncomfortable with the US pressure and Trump’s unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran and the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia.
Concerned that the US will withdraw from the region, the EU wants to minimize its dependence on the US. It’s unclear when the vision of a EU with greater military power can be realized, but it shows a mindset change among EU countries on security issues.