The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has declared that no EU member-state is big enough to “pursue their own national interests” — a pointed warning the United Kingdom and any country thinking of following them out of the bloc.
“I think we all agree that no single European country can respond effectively to any of the challenges of our times, and I think we agree that we, the European Union, have a responsibility to embrace our role as a global power,” the Italy-born technocrat declared in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
“The European Union is the most powerful instrument we have as Europeans to serve our national interests on the global scene,” she continued, claiming that “None of our Member-States is big enough in the world of today to pursue their own national interests all alone” — a statement many have interpreted as a pointed jab at the British people, who voted to Leave the European Union in a national referendum in June 2016, although the country’s political class have yet to implement the result.
Insisting that “the European Union in itself is the most successful multilateral institution that was ever built”, the EU High Representative — who pulls double-duty as Vice President of the European Commission under Jean-Claude Juncker — told MEPs that the bloc must also apply its strength in international forums to assert itself “more fully, more powerfully on the global stage”.
“This is why we have chosen the United Nations as our fundamental partner,” she explained.
Mogherini also offered an unusually frank admission with respect to the EU’s military ambitions — little reported by Britain’s mainstream press, which has tended to accept Remainer claims that plans for a European Army are a “dangerous fantasy”.
“Yes, we are investing in Europe’s hard power — finally,” she boasted.
“Our two command centres — civilian and military — will work now more closely together. On the military side, our command centre should be ready by 2020 to also run small-scale executive operations — so, going beyond what is done now which is commanding, training and advisory missions.”
“Who do they think they are?” commented Mike Hookem MEP, for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP).
“These EuroManiacs want a United States of Europe, nothing else.”