MEPs HAVE called on EU states to spend more money on defence equipment, develop a permanent military headquarters and co-operate much more closely with Nato.
The controversial recommendations are made in two non-binding reports, which were backed by MEPs at the European Parliament’s plenary session in Brussels yesterday.
A report on European security and defence policy calls for a new system of co-operation between national armed forces to be set up and synchronised in a process called “SAFE” to boost common defence.
“The European parliament notes that a common defence policy in Europe requires an integrated armed force which needs to be equipped with common weapons so as to guarantee commonality and interoperability,” says the report, which also calls for a Council of Defence Ministers to be set up in order to make national defence policy more coherent.
The report calls for the establishment of a permanent EU military headquarters to undertake strategic planning and to conduct European security and defence policy operations – a proposal that has in the past created tensions with states such as Britain, which are Nato members.
It also highlights the need for the EU to develop its strategic autonomy in defence matters to defend its interests in the world and promote peace and security.
The report, which was written by German MEP Karl von Wogau, was passed with 482 votes in favour, 111 against and 55 abstentions.
However, a minority opinion signed by several MEPs criticised the parliamentary report for lacking the requirement for peace and focusing on militarisation.
A second report calling for closer co-operation between the EU and Nato was backed by a much narrower margin of 293 votes in favour to 283 against.
The report recommends making it mandatory for neutral states such as Ireland to attend joint EU-Nato meetings.
Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa said he voted against the report because it did not respect the rights of neutral member states like Ireland to opt out.
Neither report is binding on EU policy, although they reflect emerging opinion on defence issues within the Union.