Germany has expressed a desire for the European Union to create an army under the political control of the EU, according to the nation’s Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.

“The long-term goal is the establishment of a European army under full parliamentary control. The European Union must live up to its political role as a global player. It must be able to manage crises independently. It must be able to respond quickly, flexibly and to take a united stand,” he said (AFP).

At the Munich Security Conference, held earlier this year, Mr. Westerwelle stated that the door for a European army was opened by the passing of a revised EU constitution draft, known as the Lisbon Treaty, and that this army would be a cohesive factor in creating a European defense policy.

The Lisbon Treaty does allow for the creation of a united army, however, any defense issues require a unanimous vote from representatives of member-nations.