European defense cannot replace North Atlantic Alliance, nor to ensure the same level of security. The statement came from Italian Defense Minister Guido Krozetto in the open letter published in the Corriere Della Sera newspaper.
He reminds that I agree to the contract (a MASTRIKT CONTRACT, then completed by the Lisbon Treaty), national security remains the responsibility of the member states.
"This means that every country is responsible for its defense, and today there is no special legal, automatic mechanism for EU collective protection in case of external aggression. Unlike Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, the European Treaty does not provide compulsory interference, "the minister wrote.
"The only practical model of collective defense is NATO. European defense cannot replace NATO, nor to ensure the same security level, "Croseto said.
At the same time, the Minister considers the expenses of defense necessary, as "no freedom or social development without security." "Protection is the main castle of our democracy and the guarantee of our international reputation," the minister concluded.
