Germany must become the "
best equipped armed force in Europe
", said Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday, after years of "
erroneous
" analyzes of the fact that his country would be "
surrounded by friends
".
He also pleaded for a rise in power of European countries within NATO.
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"
As the most populous nation, with the greatest economic power and located at the center of the continent, our army must become the mainstay of conventional defense in Europe, the best equipped armed force in Europe
," Olaf said. Scholz in a speech to Bundeswehr executives.
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" entangled in the war in Ukraine
The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a turning point for German defense policy, leading to the creation of a special fund of 100 billion euros to upgrade army equipment as well as a renewal strategic.
“
A former German defense minister thought we were just surrounded by friends.
The truth is that politics, the economy and a large part of society only too willingly believed in this thesis and drew important
conclusions from it,” the leader lamented in Berlin.
“
Wrong consequences, as we know today, especially if we look at the state of the German army
,” added Social Democratic leader.
Assuming more responsibilities within NATO
“
At the same time, we are showing clearly and credibly that Germany is ready to take on leading responsibility for the security of our continent
,” argued Olaf Scholz.
Criticized for his military support for kyiv, deemed too timid, Angela Merkel's successor is also betting on a rise in European defense power, particularly within NATO.
“
We Europeans have to take on much more responsibility within NATO
,” stressed Olaf Scholz.
Read alsoFrançois d'Orcival: "
Why German rearmament will benefit the United States
"
Olaf Scholz also came out in favor of setting up a "
European headquarters
" capable of "
carrying out missions - whether it is an evacuation of our nationals, as last year in Afghanistan, or a European advisory or training mission, such as in Iraq, Mali or Niger
”.
The chancellor also intends to “
use the possibilities already offered by the EU treaties to entrust missions to a group of member states, a coalition of determined people
” to facilitate possible European military actions.
But, according to him, “
perhaps the most pressing problem in Europe is the totally inextricable number of weapon systems and military equipment as well as the competition between the various arms companies
”.
"
Only a coordinated increase in European capabilities will allow Europe to act
", he asserted, attaching "
particular importance to the field of air defense - coordinated at European level and contributing to the strengthening of the European pillar of the 'NATO
'.
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