Germany to pull out of WEU defense group

The WEU, which never fired a shot in anger, has long been dormant and became redundant once the 27-nation EU agreed to create its own military staff and crisis management center and to take part in joint military operations.

“Thus the historic role of the WEU has been fulfilled and other states will also formally withdraw,” he said, adding that Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet had approved the move.

The WEU, the first collective defense pact in post-World War Two Europe, was created by Britain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg in 1948 in response to Soviet moves to impose control over central Europe.

It was a precursor to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, established the following year under the protective shield of the United States, and long lived an uneventful life in NATO's shadow.

It grew to 10 full members plus associate members and associate partners but ceased to have any purpose once Washington and London dropped their objections to the European Union taking on a military role, in consultation with NATO.

Britain announced on Tuesday it was pulling out of the WEU.

Subscribe to The China Post and save 25%. Click here

SharePrintEmail

Write a Comment

Terms

Enter your comments - 3000 characters max

Type in image code

Submit

 Receive China Post promos
 Respond to this email