WARSAW, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski proposed an EU-funded "European legion" on Thursday, suggesting a brigade-sized force to address the bloc's deteriorating security, according to a report by the Polish Press Agency.
Sikorski made the remarks in Brussels when questioned by journalists about the idea of a European army proposed in January by European Commissioner for Defense and Space Andrius Kubilius.
A federal European Union army is unrealistic because national forces will not merge, but a "European legion" could be created, Sikorski said.
Such a legion could initially be established at brigade level, be open to citizens of EU member states and possibly candidate countries, and be financed from the EU budget, he said.
Sikorski added that the deteriorating international security environment around Europe has made the idea more urgent than ever. ■
