Macron: ‘Europe must reduce dependence on the US’

French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe should take a stronger role within NATO, reduce its dependence on the United States for security and improve its own defense capabilities.

According to the Wall Street Journal news, Macron made an assessment to journalists on the presidential plane when he was returning to his country after the “Baghdad Conference on Cooperation and Association” held in Jordan. Noting that a stronger Europe can act within NATO without being tied to the alliance, Macron said: “The alliance is not something I have to adhere to, it is something I have to choose and work with. “We have to rethink our strategic autonomy,” he said.

In this context, Macron asserted that Europe must develop its defense capability independently of the US and take a stronger role within NATO, saying that “Europe must gain more independence in terms of defense technology and capabilities.”

Macron said he does not see Europe’s efforts to improve its defense capabilities as an alternative to NATO. (AA)