French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Europe to reduce its dependence on the United States and develop its own defense capabilities while playing a more active role in NATO.
According to "European Truth", he said this in a conversation with journalists after returning to Paris from the summit in Jordan, he was quoted by the Wall Street Journal.
Macron noted that he does not consider his call for the development of European defense to be an alternative to NATO.
According to him, a stronger Europe will allow the continent to become more autonomous within the alliance, acting "within NATO, together with NATO, but also independent of NATO."
"The alliance is not something I have to depend on. It's something I have to choose, something I work with. We have to rethink our strategic autonomy," the French president said.
"Europe should get more autonomy in matters of technology and defense potential, including from the United States," Macron added.
In the past, the President of France has repeatedly called for strengthening cooperation in the defense industry of the European Union.