Thread by @RikeFranke

If you want to watch @akk's key address on German security and defence policy - live stream (in German) pscp.tv/w/1ynKOBLBlbrxR

She's emphasising verrrry strongly how important the role of the US in Europe still is.

AKK: "The idea of European strategic autonomy goes too far if it nurtures the illusion that we can guarantee security, stability and prosperity in Europe without NATO and without the USA."

"But when it comes to being able to act independently as Europeans, where it is in our common interest, then that is our common goal and corresponds to our common understanding of sovereignty and the ability to act." - AKK

Shows again the difference in understanding the terms "sovereignty" versus "autonomy" between France and Germany.

This is what I mean - how strange that years after these terms appeared, we haven't even agreed on what they mean, even less on whether we agree on them as goals.
#France #Germany #EuropeanSovereignty

https://twitter.com/RikeFranke/status/1328283583539269632?s=20

German mantra, repeated "We have to become more European in order to remain transatlantic". - AKK

"Incidentally, the costs of strategic autonomy **in the sense of complete detachment from the USA*** would be much higher than the two percent of gross domestic product to which we have committed ourselves in the Atlantic Alliance."
Well luckily no one actually proposes that! 😶

Germany waking up: AKK: "Thirty years after the end of the Cold War, we must admit that the end of the Cold War was not the end of history. Peace did not break out everywhere. Our security, our prosperity, our peaceful coexistence are really threatened."

"The most important ally in security & defense policy was and still is the USA. And they will remain so for the foreseeable future. Without America's nuclear and conventional capabilities, Germany and Europe cannot protect themselves. These are the sober facts" @AKK

Now, following the speech: Discussion with @AKK, moderated by my awesome @ecfr colleague @jana_puglierin 💪

Here the text of @akk's speech: bmvg.de/de/aktuelles/z…