Rome, Italy: Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, has advocated for the formation of a European army. In an interview with La Stampa, Tajani emphasized the need for closer European cooperation in defense matters, aligning with his party, “Forward Italy’s” priorities.
Tajani’s proposal comes at a time when global dynamics are increasingly complex, with major powers like the United States, China, India, and Russia playing pivotal roles. The minister highlighted the necessity of a unified European force capable of maintaining peace and preventing conflicts worldwide. “If we want to be carriers of peace globally, we need a European army. This is a fundamental prerequisite for an effective European foreign policy,” Tajani stated.
The concept of a European army is not entirely new but has gained traction in recent years due to evolving geopolitical challenges. Tajani’s vision includes a force ready for “peacekeeping, monitoring, and deterrence,” emphasizing the need for rapid and clear joint efforts and better, collective expenditure, according to Reuters.
This proposal aligns with recent statements from NATO’s head of Joint Support and Enabling Command, Alexander Zolfrank, who expressed a desire to create a “military Schengen.” This concept would allow for the free movement of alliance troops, currently hindered by various national regulations. Zolfrank’s comments underscore the need for preparedness in the event of invoking NATO’s Article 5, which calls for collective defense.
However, Russia’s response to these developments has been one of concern. Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary for the President of Russia, noted that Europe seems to be ignoring Russia’s security concerns and the principle of indivisible security.
