Shropshire Star

Shropshire MPs claim 'EU army' would undercut Nato

A so-called "EU army" would undermine the work of Nato – according to two Shropshire MPs.

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Daniel Kawczynski and Mark Pritchard say the peacekeeping organisation has worked defending Europe for many years and a new European Army would go against it.

The Government has claimed the UK will "never be part of an EU army", as reports suggested moves in Brussels to promote closer military co-operation among the bloc's member states.

A policy paper drawn up by the European Union's foreign policy chief suggests the organisation could "step up" its contribution to security defence, The Times reported.

Mr Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, said: "We are considered to have the best armed forces in the world.

"That is why we continue to hold the position we do on the UN Security Council. There are only five permanent members of the security council.

"To merge our armed forces with the European Army would be to put at risk our position with the security council.

"The thing that has kept the peace in Europe since World War Two has been Nato.

"It is a very powerful organisation which acts as a peace umbrella for US and Europe.

"To have a single army will detract what Nato is doing very effectively whilst maintaining the dependence of the individual armed forces.

"This is another example of the European Union trying to usurp the work of Nato and the UN Security Council. It is not in the interests of the UK."

Wrekin MP Mr Pritchard added: "There will be no EU army as long as the UK remains in the EU. If the UK leaves then France and Germany will fast-track EU defence structures – undermining Nato."

According to The Times, the plans being prepared by Federica Mogherini are being kept secret until after the UK's referendum on EU membership on June 23.

The plans will not be sent to national governments until the day after Britons vote and until then the Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy can be read by only a select group, who must leave electronic devices outside a sealed room, The Times reported.

The newspaper has seen handwritten notes about a document, which emphasises that "security and defence is where a step change is most urgent" in terms of how the EU functions.

The paper urges the EU to create defence structures using mechanisms set out in the 2009 Lisbon treaty.

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