"EU Discusses Plan to Establish 5,000-Member European Defense Force by 2025"

"Plan to Establish Rapid Response Joint Intervention Force Under Consideration"
"Final Approval Expected When France Becomes EU Council Presidency in March Next Year"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Bloomberg News reported that the European Union (EU) is discussing plans to establish a joint intervention force for European defense by 2025. France is leading the effort, and the final plan for the creation of the European army is expected to be approved as early as March next year.

On the 4th (local time), Bloomberg News cited an internal EU document it obtained, stating, "The EU plans to establish a European defense force in the form of a rapid response force to handle all ranges of military crisis management missions such as rescue and evacuation or stabilization operations in hostile environments," adding, "The joint intervention force aims to enable immediate deployment of troops without requiring unanimous approval from member states in the event of conflicts or crises, which is the EU's direction."

According to Bloomberg News, the plan to establish the European army, named the "Strategic Compass," focuses on prioritizing international security and defense issues and is scheduled to be officially submitted as an agenda item at the EU Foreign Ministers' meeting on the 15th. The EU will discuss the plan further and is expected to approve the final version in March next year when France serves as the EU presidency, Bloomberg reported.

Until now, the EU has entrusted its security to the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), but since the late 1990s, when instability in the Middle East and security threats from Russia and Eastern Europe began to emerge, discussions on establishing an independent defense organization have started. Progress had been slow due to cost issues, but the sudden US withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Taliban's reestablishment of control there have rapidly changed the security situation, invigorating discussions on creating a European army to jointly respond to security crises.

Earlier, at the summit of the 27 member states held in February, the EU confirmed the need to strengthen its ability and responsibility to act independently in security and defense fields. The EU External Action Service (EEAS) agreed to advance an integrated EU security and defense strategy aiming for adoption early next year.

In particular, France and Germany, the leading countries in the EU, are known to be actively supporting the establishment of the European army. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized during a farewell meeting with outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the 3rd, "Unless we decide to have a true European army, we will not be able to protect Europe." Chancellor Angela Merkel also supported President Macron, saying, "We must have a vision and work towards establishing a substantial and genuine European army someday."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.