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News World Franco-German treaty a step toward 'European army': Merkel

Franco-German treaty a step toward 'European army': Merkel

Addressing the signing ceremony in Aachen, Angela Merkel underlined their commitment to "a strong, viable and sovereign Europe" and stressed that new Franco-German treaty would deepen cooperation in defense, by developing a "joint military culture", a common defense industry, and a common policy on arms exports. "In doing so, we wish to give our contribution to a development of a new European army. This will only work if we coordinate at the same time our foreign policies," she stressed.

AFP WORLD
Published January 22,2019
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FRANCO-GERMAN TREATY A STEP TOWARD EUROPEAN ARMY: MERKEL

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that a new Franco-German friendship treaty was a step toward the creation of a future joint European army.

Merkel said the pact aims to build a Franco-German "common military culture" and "contributes to the creation of a European army".

Both Macron and Merkel have pushed the idea of a joint European Army for the bloc that would be part of the wider NATO alliance.

US President Donald Trump late last year mocked both European powers by tweeting that "it was Germany in World Wars One & Two -- How did that work out for France?"

Merkel in her speech also said that, as France and Germany seek closer political, economic and defence integration, they should also work on a "joint military industry".