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08/06/2017
SF Criticises Plans For Increased EU Militarisation
Sinn Féin have criticised plans by the European Commission to establish joint EU defence spending.
The Commission's defence package includes the establishment of the EU Defence Fund which will purchase military equipment and joint defence capabilities. In addition, a Defence Industrial Development Programme will be developed and funded out of the EU budget.
Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said any EU policy aimed at increased EU militarisation is a "threat to Irish neutrality".
"It is particularly worrying as an EU defence policy which is seen as 'complementary' to NATO would in effect be NATO membership through the back door for Ireland," she said.
"The creation of a permanent EU force available for deployment on EU missions, as imagined by the commission would make it impossible for any EU member State to maintain a policy of neutrality.
"The Commission has been totally dismissive of the democratic will of member State citizens. Instead when it comes to military integration Juncker's Commission has adopted an attitude of when and not if.
"The Commissions stated aim of achieving a 'security and defence union' by 2025 marks a shift in EU policy which undermines national sovereignty."
The Dublin MEP said with recent military intervention in Iraq and Libya having only worsened and prolonged conflicts, the EU should instead focus on increased international cooperation which improves international security, "not a militaristic foreign policy which will worsen existing instability".
"While Europe fails to adequately provide for refugees arriving from the Middle East and Africa it is shocking that the Commission would prioritise an increase in military spending," she concluded.
(LM)
The Commission's defence package includes the establishment of the EU Defence Fund which will purchase military equipment and joint defence capabilities. In addition, a Defence Industrial Development Programme will be developed and funded out of the EU budget.
Speaking in Brussels on Wednesday, Sinn Féin MEP Lynn Boylan said any EU policy aimed at increased EU militarisation is a "threat to Irish neutrality".
"It is particularly worrying as an EU defence policy which is seen as 'complementary' to NATO would in effect be NATO membership through the back door for Ireland," she said.
"The creation of a permanent EU force available for deployment on EU missions, as imagined by the commission would make it impossible for any EU member State to maintain a policy of neutrality.
"The Commission has been totally dismissive of the democratic will of member State citizens. Instead when it comes to military integration Juncker's Commission has adopted an attitude of when and not if.
"The Commissions stated aim of achieving a 'security and defence union' by 2025 marks a shift in EU policy which undermines national sovereignty."
The Dublin MEP said with recent military intervention in Iraq and Libya having only worsened and prolonged conflicts, the EU should instead focus on increased international cooperation which improves international security, "not a militaristic foreign policy which will worsen existing instability".
"While Europe fails to adequately provide for refugees arriving from the Middle East and Africa it is shocking that the Commission would prioritise an increase in military spending," she concluded.
(LM)
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