UK Supports Those Efforts to Boost European Security That Complement NATO

London supports efforts to strengthen European security where those complement NATO, according UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

LONDON (Sputnik) — The United Kingdom is supporting measures aimed at strengthening the European security that enhance NATO's security, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said Friday.

"We support efforts to strengthen European security where those complement NATO," May said at a press conference in Berlin.

The discussions on Europe's defense have become more active following the victory of Republican Donald Trump in the US presidential election. During the presidential race, the politician had repeatedly stated that the United States should decrease the support of other NATO member states and protect only those members of the alliance, who "fulfill their obligations" in respect to Washington.

The plan to create the EU army, which goes back to 1950, was revived in March 2015 by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. He said the European Union needed its own unified army to respond to modern threats posed to EU member states. Major proponents of such EU-wide army are Germany, France and Italy, while the United Kingdom considers it will weaken NATO.

However, according to EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini, the new plan on the European Union security and defense, agreed by EU member states earlier in the week, excludes the creation of the EU army, the military headquarters or some kind of territorial defense system.