Italy lays out ‘vision’ of EU army

Italy has laid out plans for the creation of a “European force” that goes beyond Franco-German proposals on defence integration.
It said in an informal paper, seen by EUobserver, ahead of a defence ministers’ meeting in Bratislava on Tuesday (27 September) that the EU should create a “powerful and usable European Force that can also be employed in support to Nato or UN operations”.

 

Italy might need to invest money in bailing out its banks rather than grand EU projects
Giving its full title, it said that the “joint permanent European Multinational Force (EMF)” should be created by “available member states willing to share forces, command and control, manoeuvre and enabling capabilities”.

 

It added that the force should be “permanently offered” to a new EU military HQ.

 

It also envisaged even deeper military integration in the future, saying that “the EMF will represent the initial nucleus of a future European integrated force”.

 

Read More: Italy lays out ‘vision’ of EU army