M. Schoinas: The possibility of a European army is not so far away

The certainty that the EU is moving very fast towards a common defense and security identity, with the next step being the creation of a rapid reaction force of 5,000 soldiers, was expressed today, from the podium of the 7th Delphi Economic Forum, European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schoinas, while adding that the possibility of a European army is no longer so far away.

“For the first time in European history, we have decided, with the resources of the so-called ‘Peace Facility’, to buy (as an EU) armament for Ukraine. These are things that have never happened before and show that, without a doubt, we are moving fast. I think the next step will be to create a rapid reaction force of 5,000 people, soldiers, who will act where Europe ‘s strategic interests are at stake and I have no doubt that my generation will one day see “and the European army. This possibility is not so far away”, he underlined, during a discussion with the journalist Eleni Varvitsioti.

Based on the “Strategic Compass”, added Mr. Schoinas, the text that the EU prime ministers agreed in Brussels on March 21, the operation of the rapid reaction force will be accompanied by the convergence of programs (member states) in defense and weapons systems and at the end of the process the European army will emerge.

As for what this probably means for Greece, he pointed out that those who imagined the country from this side of the geopolitical fence, beyond NATO, through EU structures, are historically justified. “What Konstantinos Karamanlis saw when you applied for the EU is happening now, 47 years later. We are on a historic road that has no return,” he said.

Any sanctions on the gas pose a risk of splitting the “27” section

Asked to comment on what is being said inside the EU about the need to impose additional sanctions on Russia, both in oil and gas, Mr. Schoinas stressed: “Just as strong is the need for sanctions to ‘bite’, it is just as important the goal of achieving the unity of the 27 Member States at a time.If we take a ratification step that shakes the broken unity of the 27, which we live in for 45 days, this would be a great strategic mistake for Europe (…) In There should be no threat to the 27-member unit, and in this case I believe that sanctions on gas carry that risk. we have not secured the 27 “section beforehand.

Green energy transition: adjustments yes, but it would be a huge mistake to “pull the parking brake”

As for the possibility that the energy crisis will negatively affect the goals of the green transition, by restoring, for example, the increased use of “dirty” lignite, Mr. Schoinas said that although the current insecurity lasts, it is possible to make some adjustments to the in this direction, it would be a very big mistake for the EU to pull the handbrake in the process.

“I am not worried that the current situation, which certainly requires some corrective action, is such that it will blow up our commitment to the green transition model and to the expressed will of Europe to be a world leader in this field. We designed it. At the end of 2019, we endowed it with unprecedented resources, we are developing European technologies that support it, we are starting to implement European recovery and resilience plans, and it would be a great mistake to put a handbrake on this process. “We should not make any adjustments, but in no case will we reverse our expressed will for a green Europe,” he said.

“The paranoia coalition” and the possibility of electing Le Pen

Asked whether, after the pandemic and the first war on European soil in 70 years, the EU could deal with the additional shock of Marie Le Pen’s election in France, Schoinas said: “I believe that there is very Europe) a front that believes that the authoritarian model of government gives answers.In France we have a double problem, because this front exists on both the far right and the far left. “It’s whether these two extremes will unite in a big paranoid alliance. I do not think that will happen, but it will be very interesting not the first but the second round of elections.”

Mr Schoinas also referred to Germany, saying it had faith in Berlin’s overall ability to support key European policies, regardless of the ruling parties, adding that “Germany has perhaps the greatest interest in unity of the European project but also its depth “.

The EU Vice President reiterated yesterday his statements on the refugee wave from Ukraine and recalled the moves that the united Europe has made so far to welcome refugees.