After the latest attacks in France and Germany, to flare up the debate on a possible participation of the German army, the Bundeswehr, in efforts to prevent terrorist attacks within the country. Already made joint exercises of police and military forces. In a few years, not excluded to participate in exercises and military of Portugal or Greece, if it is implemented eventually, the plans of minister of Defence Ursula von der Λάιεν.
According to the White Paper of the German ministry of Defence, which was adopted by the government of Merkel in mid-July, the “opening” of the armed forces for citizens, men and women, from other member-states of the EU “not only contributed decisively to the renewal of staff of the Bundeswehr, but it would be a strong signal to the european perspective”. The Bundeswehr could significantly increase the potential of which totals today, including reservists, 170, 000 troops, and at the same time open the way for the creation of a common european army.
The Bundeswehr was founded 61 years ago. Until today the German army is not allowed to serve only German nationals. However, the relevant legislation provides for certain exceptions in case of “service needs”, i.e. if it has not been presented to a German national for a specific job. This is of course for individual and exceptional cases.
Something more than Eurocorps
Cooperation with military forces of other european countries is hardly something unprecedented. Since 1989, there is a franco-German brigade, in August 1995, was founded in γεÏμανοολλανδικό army corps. This was followed by the european expeditionary force Eurocorps, which is composed of French, germans and belgians in the military.
In addition, from 2014, the Dutch strengthen the German body commando-paratroopers “Schnelle Kräfte”. The cross-border cooperation is in line with the latest proposals submitted by the EU High Representative for Foreign Policy Federica Mogherini for a new european security and defence strategy. In accordance with these proposals, it is not a common european army, but a more intensive and efficient cooperation, so that the EU can respond more quickly to the challenges of the international environment.
Can Ursula von der Λάιεν to move one step further from the Eurocorps, assimilating european citizens in the Bundeswehr it? The representative of the German Bundestag for the armed forces Hans Peter ΜπάÏτελς, speaking recently in the Sunday edition of the newspaper Die Welt, spoke of the positive initiative, stated, however, that a necessary condition should be the knowledge of the German language.
From the side of the and the Association of Reserve Officers don’t see a reason not to be admitted by someone who consciously decides to serve in the German armed forces. On the contrary, strong criticism expressed by the Union Armed Forces, representing some 200,000 former and current executives of the German army. The president of the association, Andre Î’Î¯ÏƒÏ„Î½ÎµÏ warns that the officer “is not just a profession like any other” and states: “When you’re ready to die for what you have in your mind and in your heart, this devotion may not be valid for any country and for any employer”.
Greek officers in the German weapons?
Alexander Noe, a member of the Left Party (Die Linke) and member of the committee for defence affairs of the House, has a different approach, but it faces and he is critical of the proposals von der Λάιεν. And that’s because, as he says, “would have come many new men from member-states of the region and particularly from economically weak countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Greece and the countries of the former Yugoslavia. But these people are necessary in their home country. The best economic payoffs of Germany would be tempted, but would not help the economy in their country to develop”.
From 2011 the former minister of Defense, Karl Theodor chu Gutenberg, had proposed to join the Bundeswehr, under certain conditions, and foreigners staying in Germany, but I don’t have a German passport. Now, Ursula von der Λάιεν goes a step further. And it doesn’t stop there: a sense of causes and the new proposal of the minister of Defence to assimilate to the Bundeswehr at least a hundred refugees from Syria, who of course will not carry a gun, but will be used in office jobs or manual work.
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Greek soldiers would serve in the German army?
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