PRAGUE — European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker says European Union members must increase their military cooperation and rely less on the United States because the protection of Europe “can no longer be outsourced.” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.
Speaking at a defense conference in Prague on June 9, Juncker said the United States is “no longer interested in guaranteeing Europe’s security in our place.”
“Our deference to NATO can no longer be used as a convenient alibi to argue against greater European efforts,” he told conference delegates.
Only five of NATO’s 29 members have reached the 2 percent of economic output military spending target.
“The protection of Europe can no longer be outsourced,” he said.
Juncker’s remarks echoed the words of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who said last month that Europe could no longer “completely depend” on the United States and Britain following the election of President Donald Trump and the triggering of the Brexit process.