German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has firmly stated that a potential common European army would not serve as a replacement for NATO. He underscored the importance of the North Atlantic Alliance and criticized proposals for a joint European military force.
Steinmeier emphasized that European countries “have much to thank NATO for” and cautioned against considering alternatives that are not realistic. “My advice is that we should not seek refuge in alternatives that do not exist. A European army is an idea, but it is not an adequate replacement for the security provided by NATO,” he said.
The German President also noted that Germany must increase its contributions to collective security in the future and expressed hope that strengthening the Bundeswehr (the German Armed Forces) would be a priority for the incoming government.
As negotiations in Germany progress toward forming a new government, the Christian Social Union (CSU) has become the first party in the future coalition to approve the proposed coalition agreement.
