ITALY is to push for the creation of a European army after the "new Europe" takes shape at this week's EU summit following the adoption of the Lisbon Treaty. Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said the Lisbon Treaty had established "that if some countries want to enter into reinforced co-operation between themselves they can do so".
This was already the case with the euro and the Schengen accords on frontier-free travel, and could now be applied to "common European defence".
Mr Frattini said yesterday: "We have finally concluded a never-ending story."The Lisbon Treaty, which comes into force next month, will be sealed tomorrow in an EU summit that will also choose an EU president and foreign minister.
Mr Frattini warned that "if we do not find a common foreign policy, there is the risk that Europe will become irrelevant. We will be bypassed by the G2 of America and China".More at
