As the United States continues to distant itself from European allies, French President Emmanuel Macron told France’s overseas ambassadors gathered in Paris on Monday that Europe can “no longer rely” upon the US for its security.
“It is up to us today to take our responsibilities and guarantee our own security, and thus have European sovereignty,” Macron said.
This change has been evolving since President Donald Trump’s election in 2016. The president has continually been distancing himself from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. This move has challenged a post-World War Two consensus on peace and security in Europe.
The president of France said he wanted to see a complete rethink of how Europe defends itself in the future.
“I want us to launch an exhaustive review of our security with all Europe’s partners, which includes Russia,” he added.
Macron’s call for greater European military cooperation echoes recent comments made by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas.
Writing in the Handelsblatt newspaper, Maas called last week for Europe to “take an equal share of the responsibility” and “form a counterweight” to Washington as Europe-US relations cool, AFP reported.
The French President was also critical of the European Union, saying “we are paying the price of several decades of a weakened Europe,” adding that efforts must be redoubled.
Macron also made reference to Syria and said that showing support for President Bashar al-Assad would be a “grave mistake,” but the sovereignty of the country should be respected “by allowing the Syrian people to express themselves.”
What do you think the implications of this renewed effort for military cooperation in Europe will be? Do you support the way that Trump has distanced America from our European allies? Do you think Macron can actually rally Europe?
Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below this article.
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