In recent years, surveys have shown major changes in the European citizen`s viewpoints about EU becoming a cohesive global actor. “European voters believe that there is a growing case for a more coherent and effective EU foreign policy in a dangerous, competitive world” [Dennison, 2019]. In other words, EU citizens believe that EU has become an important international actor, who can make influential foreign policy decisions in the international arena.
In 2017 Donald Trump became the president of United States of America. EU member states, particularly Baltic states, started to question USA`s protection capabilities and willingness. Even before Donald Trump’s elections a lot of EU citizens believed that they can no longer rely on USA`s security guarantee. EU citizens want EU to become a strong and independent actor, who does not follow other Great powers. Therefore, one of the capacities to act is to develop its defense capabilities.
In September the European Council of Foreign Relations published a report, which showed that only 5% of EU citizens trust the United States president [Denisson, 2019]. This means that most EU citizens believe that EU can no longer trust US security guarantee. However, in a question about whether their country should invest in NATO or EU defense capabilities, voters were split. From EU citizens perspective they are not convinced that EU can represent Member States in International Area. This not only applies to security and defense capabilities, but also EU citizens do not feel emotional connection to ES and its policy makers. Reports showed that the top three emotions that EU citizens feel are stress, fear and optimism [Denisson, 2019]. A recent example, in 2014: Russia’s forced annexation of Crimea proved that EU was unable to provide for its security. What would the EU do if Russia started to threaten Poland or Latvia? However, people want to see European – level defense mechanisms developed to protect the EU.
Spain’s foreign minister, Joseph Borrel, and the next candidate for High Representative/ Vice – President for foreign affairs and security policy raised many issues in his introductory speech such as – oppression of democracy, problems in Ukraine and Western Balkans. Joseph Borrel also pointed out that it is very important to reinstate US and EU transatlantic relationships. However, he also mentioned that while the United States under President Donald Trump are pursuing an “America First” agenda, Europe must try much harder to make its voice heard and to defend its interest. Europe needs to assert its position and to make its voice heard between the US and China [European Parliament, 2019a].
In other words, the European Union needs to achieve strategic sovereignty, to focus on European defense and the key issues that would come from withdrawal of the US security guarantee. At the same time, it needs to avoid damaging already existing transatlantic security alliances and EU needs to avoid any duplication of NATO. If the EU wants to strengthen its partnership with the USA, then it will need to make new reforms to its EU defense policy. For example, the EU and NATO could launch joint operations or could establish a better division of labour between them [Leonard & Schapiro2019].
In this light the EU’s PESCO initiative goes in the right direction. NATO, on its side, has invested €2 billion into military mobility projects since 2014 while the European Commission has requested €6.4 billion for dual-use infrastructure under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for the period 2021-2027 [Lindstrom & Tardy, 2019].
The topical question remains – is it time for EU army? Before answering this question it is important to know that EU does not have its own military capabilities and that its military operations rely on the use of national armies of its member states. Article 42 of TEU states that: “Member States shall make civilian and military capabilities available to the Union for the implementation of the common security and defense policy, to contribute to the objectives defined by the Council. Those Member States which together establish multinational forces may also make them available to the common security and defense policy.”
In recent years, EU has tried to improve its defense cooperation. The above mentioned PESCO operates 34 concrete projects in which 25 EU member states are participating. The European Defense Fund is made funding available to promote collaborative research, joint development and acquisition of defense equipment and technology. EU and NATO have cooperation in 74 areas. Lastly, EU currently has 16 civilian and military missions with more than 6,000 civilian and military personnel [European Parliament, 2019b]
In order to answer the question about a EU army and to mitigate the concerns of EU citizens about EU defense and security capabilities, the EU has taken some important steps. The Lisbon Treaty that entered into force on 2009 also helps to move forward European defense union. It supports more cooperation and increased investments to protect EU citizens. However, EU should do more. I think that a lot of member states like – Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Poland, Romania are ready for more a common defense and security policy.
In addition, the EU should invest more financial resources to further develop its security and defense. EU should seek to be more independent and to better address the ongoing and upcoming crises across the Continent. The EU should have clearer ideas and strategic priorities in collaborative projects.
Lastly, EU should increase its military integration. However, the role of the EU is not to replace NATO. NATO is and will remain the cornerstone of EU’s collective alliance and collective defense. The EU will remain strong as a political and economic union. The goal is just to strengthen the relations between EU and NATO as previous mentioned. In this light, PESCO is step in the right direction as it does help to increase EU’s military and security capabilities which also highly appreciated by NATO.
REFERENCES
European Parliament [2019a].Hearing with High Representative/Vice President-designate Josep Borrell 8 October. Link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20190926IPR62260/hearing-with-high-representative-vice-president-designate-josep-borrell
European Parliament [2019b]. Defence: is the EU creating a European army? 24 June. Link: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/security/20190612STO54310/eu-army-myth-what-is-europe-really-doing-to-boost-defence
Leonard, M. & Schapiro, J. [2019]. Strategic sovereignty: How Europe can regain the capacity to act. Policy Brief, European Council of Foreign Relations. 25.06.2019. Link: https://www.ecfr.eu/publications/summary/strategic_sovereignty_how_europe_can_regain_the_capacity_to_act Lindstrom. G. & Tardy, T. (eds.) [2019].
The EU and NATO. The Essential Partners. European Union Institute for Security Studies. 2019. Link: https://www.iss.europa.eu/sites/default/files/EUISSFiles/EU%20and%20NATO.pdf