"The European Union doesn't have enough union."
Juncker rallies support for EU in State of Union address | News | DW.COM | 14.09.2016
Jean-Claude Juncker has used his State of the Union speech to attack populism and urge unity within the EU. He also outlined an agenda for the future of the bloc for the first time since the UK Brexit referendum.
In his speech, Juncker also unveiled a number of measures aimed to boost prosperity and security in the EU. He proposed doubling the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) to 630 billion euros ($707 billion) by 2022 in a bid to foster economic growth.
The Commission is launching a similar fund with an initial pot of 44 million euros to bolster the private sector in Africa as way of stemming emigration to Europe. Juncker also floated the idea of creating a European defense fund to support research and innovation, as well as a common military force to protect EU interests.
Controversial move: Bundeswehr wants to recruit EU citizens | Europe | DW.COM | 12.08.2016
Rarely do technocratic texts manage to create that kind of stir: we learn from the Federal Government that the opening of the Bundeswehr to EU citizens offers "not just a far-reaching integration and regeneration potential for the Bundeswehr's personnel strength, it would also send a strong signal for a European perspective." Thus the official wording in a strategy paper which outlines the German cabinet's security policy targets.
Put in simpler terms: By recruiting soldiers from other EU countries, the Bundeswehr could, possibly, achieve its personnel goal of 170,000 career and temporary soldiers easier.
However, the implementation of the plan will see many obstacles. Since the Bundeswehr was established 61 years ago, only German citizens have been allowed to become soldiers. That's what Germany's Military Act provides, and it would have to be changed for the proposed opening to materialize.
By opening up to EU citizens, the Bundeswehr would enter unchartered territory. It has, however, much more experience when it comes to collaborating with soldiers of other EU countries. The German-French Brigade was established in October 1989. August 1995 saw the launch of the German-Dutch Corps. German, French, and Belgian soldiers, among others, collaborate in the Eurocorps. And in 2014, some 2,300 Dutch paratroopers were integrated into the German Division Schnelle Kräfte (Rapid Forces Division).
Italy, France and Germany vow to boost EU security in wake of attacks - France 24
France, for its part, wants greater EU integration and Hollande is a strong proponent of joining European defense efforts as Italy wants. However the French presidential campaign is getting into full swing and is likely to unleash anti-EU sentiment.
Juncker rallies support for EU in State of Union address | News | DW.COM | 14.09.2016
Jean-Claude Juncker has used his State of the Union speech to attack populism and urge unity within the EU. He also outlined an agenda for the future of the bloc for the first time since the UK Brexit referendum.
In his speech, Juncker also unveiled a number of measures aimed to boost prosperity and security in the EU. He proposed doubling the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI) to 630 billion euros ($707 billion) by 2022 in a bid to foster economic growth.
The Commission is launching a similar fund with an initial pot of 44 million euros to bolster the private sector in Africa as way of stemming emigration to Europe. Juncker also floated the idea of creating a European defense fund to support research and innovation, as well as a common military force to protect EU interests.
Controversial move: Bundeswehr wants to recruit EU citizens | Europe | DW.COM | 12.08.2016
Rarely do technocratic texts manage to create that kind of stir: we learn from the Federal Government that the opening of the Bundeswehr to EU citizens offers "not just a far-reaching integration and regeneration potential for the Bundeswehr's personnel strength, it would also send a strong signal for a European perspective." Thus the official wording in a strategy paper which outlines the German cabinet's security policy targets.
Put in simpler terms: By recruiting soldiers from other EU countries, the Bundeswehr could, possibly, achieve its personnel goal of 170,000 career and temporary soldiers easier.
However, the implementation of the plan will see many obstacles. Since the Bundeswehr was established 61 years ago, only German citizens have been allowed to become soldiers. That's what Germany's Military Act provides, and it would have to be changed for the proposed opening to materialize.
By opening up to EU citizens, the Bundeswehr would enter unchartered territory. It has, however, much more experience when it comes to collaborating with soldiers of other EU countries. The German-French Brigade was established in October 1989. August 1995 saw the launch of the German-Dutch Corps. German, French, and Belgian soldiers, among others, collaborate in the Eurocorps. And in 2014, some 2,300 Dutch paratroopers were integrated into the German Division Schnelle Kräfte (Rapid Forces Division).
Italy, France and Germany vow to boost EU security in wake of attacks - France 24
France, for its part, wants greater EU integration and Hollande is a strong proponent of joining European defense efforts as Italy wants. However the French presidential campaign is getting into full swing and is likely to unleash anti-EU sentiment.
