Written by Emma Vella
The European Union has a shared court system, shared currency, shared borders and a shared parliament. Should the next step be moving towards a shared military?
With the United Kingdom having left the European Union, a leading voice opposing such an institution, the path is made clearer for the formation of a joint force.
What does all this mean?
The debate on the possibility of an EU army raises various questions from different quarters. Would the army engage in foreign conflicts or would it be mainly focused on defence? How would it be managed and controlled? What are its objectives and limits?
The typical vision of an EU Army is one based on national armies working together; a vision which I argue would be best realised through the formation of a European Federal State with corresponding parliamentary powers. Only a single accountable body with the political power to deploy such an army would be able to realise the full scope of the European Army beyond the factitious agreements of a few member states with vested military interest.
Unfortunately, such a vision might seem rather far fetched in the current political climate, and proponents of an EU Army might have to settle for a common army deployed at the instruction and with the full agreement of member states.
Results from the Eurobarometer
The idea of a European Army is a rather popular one. Apart from having two of the most influential countries of the Union as its proponents, surveys also lean in favour of such a project. According to a special Eurobarometer on security and defence in 2017, 75% were in favor of a common EU defence and security policy and a majority 55% were in favor of creating an EU army.
This notion was reconfirmed in March 2018 when another Eurobarometer survey saw 68% in favour of an EU army. This follows a widespread belief that European countries should no longer solely rely on NATO, even more so when the current American President deemed it “obsolete”.
Huge strides have been made to bolster defence and security within the Union. In fact, since 2003, under the Common Security and Defence Policy, the European Union has launched 6 military operations. Strategic efforts have also been made to integrate better force planning. However, the main obstacle has always been a lack of cooperation when it comes to investment in defence with the main detractor being the United Kingdom.
Britain’s position with the Union
There have been clear signs showing that post-Brexit Britain is set to remain closely linked with the Union, even when it comes to the field of defence. However, having lost its say in the formation of EU policy, the United Kingdom might see itself allied to an increasingly integrated European Union with a European Army.
During these past years, it was always the case that at any time the budget for the European Defence Agency was discussed, the UK acted as a barrier to block any increase. Now with Brexit, plans can be drawn up without any worry of a veto or objections to the allocation of funding for such a project.
The fragmented nature of member states’ approach to defence has inarguably been detrimental to the Union’s influence in international political circles. In these turbulent times, the time has come for Europe to have a defence union or, as EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen described it, “a Schengen of defence.”
Marching towards a united military
Contrary to the idea shared by some that the Union is a haven for security and peace, we cannot afford to ignore to fact that this idealistic characterisation is at odds with the reality of a world marred by terrorism and inter-state hostility. In a world where Russia is not afraid to invade its neighbour and with the tenant of the White House not afraid to use belligerent rhetoric, Europe should not and cannot afford to sit idly.
We are increasingly isolated, to the East an unpredictable Russia and the growing economy of China in turmoil and to the West a hostile United States, no longer the dependable ally of old but rather a capricious opportunist. European States must now recognise that their best chance is to unite and establish a strong, common military presence, one that will match our integrated economies and ensure our continued prominence on the world stage.
