"We in Europe spend a lot of money on armament. The military budget the European Union amounts to 200 billion euro. Americans spend the same sum. But our efficiency amounts to only 50 percent of the US [military spending] efficiency," Juncker said giving a lecture in the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano in northeastern Italy.
He said that the European countries should coordinate their military procurement.
The discussions of Europe's defense have become more active following the victory of 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.
On Monday, the EU member states agreed on a new plan on the European Union security and defense, which, however, excludes the creation of the EU army, a plan revived by Juncker last year.
