France wants Britain, Germany to form joint military
By IANSMonday, January 24, 2011
LONDON - France wants Britain and Germany to join itself and form a military partnership in which all three countries will share equipment and troops, a media report said.
The Germans could join a force set up as part of the Anglo-French defence pact in November, as well as all three sharing transport aircraft and air refuelling tankers, the Daily Mail reported.
Senior British defence officials said Britain was keen to see an improvement in defence relations with Germany.
Defence Secretary Liam Fox is reported to have formed close ties with his German counterpart, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, while French Defence Minister Alain Juppe said he was “determined to do everything possible to advance in this direction” in tandem with Britain and Germany.
The matter is likely to be discussed with Germany by Fox and British Prime Minister David Cameron at the upcoming Munich security conference.
Tory MP Patrick Mercer is, however, sceptical about the idea.
“It is interesting that, when it comes to the hard pounding of Afghanistan, neither the French nor the Germans are willing to take their fair share. I wonder how equal a partnership with these two would be?” he said.
