France's Macron calls for credible defense of Europe

PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron called for a strategic concept of a credible defense in Europe faced with security challenges at its doorstep, according to a speech made by Macron on Thursday at Sorbonne University in Paris.

Nuclear deterrence is an essential element of this credible defense, which is a new paradigm in defense, Macron stressed, quoted by a local live broadcast.

"This is why, in the coming months, I'll invite our partners to build this European defense initiative, which must first and foremost be a strategic concept," Macron said.

He proposed the "creation of a European military academy to train future European military and civilian executives in security and defense issues" and the establishment of a "rapid reaction force to be able to rapidly deploy up to 5,000 military personnel in hostile environments by 2025, in particular to come to the aid of our nationals."

The French leader also called for "European preference in the purchase of military equipment" and a strengthened European defense industry with increased support from the European Investment Bank and additional funding.