4 July 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada has warned against the “creeping militarisation” of the European Union.
The Ireland South MEP made the comments at a debate in Cork this week on the future of the EU after Brexit.
“There must be no militarisation the EU,” she said.
“Any member state is free to participate in military alliances on its own initiative, but this must be fully separate from the EU.
“Cooperation on matters of security and policing is welcome and vital, but in terms of defence and the projection of military power, the values, interests and perspectives of the EU member-states do not always converge.
“Ireland’s tradition of neutrality, for example, must be beyond question.
“I am totally opposed to the creation of any EU defence force or indeed any other measures that would accelerate the creeping militarisation of Europe.
“I want to see the establishment of a social Europe that delivers prosperity and safeguards the rights of citizens.
“The EU was create to promote peace and stability in the aftermath of a devastating global conflict. This should be its priority, not militarisation or the creation of a fortress Europe.”
