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Von der Leyen vows to turn EU into defense union

It is reported that there is a lot Europe can do to support and coordinate efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base, innovation and the Single Market

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

© AP Photo/Jean-Francois Badias

BRUSSELS, July 18. /TASS/. Ursula von der Leyen who hopes to be re-elected as European Commission (EC) President, has vowed to transform the EU into a defense bloc in her political program published by the EC.

"Our work in the next five years will be focused on building a true European Defense Union," the document said. Von der Leyen added that EU countries "will always retain responsibility for their own troops, from doctrine to deployment, but there is a lot Europe can do to support and coordinate efforts to strengthen the defense industrial base, innovation and the Single Market."

Additionally, she is planning to appoint a European commissioner for defense issues. Her political program indicates that "to help coordinate this work at the European level, I will appoint a Commissioner for Defense, who will work closely with the next High Representative/Vice-President in accordance with the Treaty."

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