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The Belgian MEP praised the Franco-German renewed alliance with Emmanuel Macron's and Angela Merkel's signature to the Aachen Treaty on Monday. Mr Verhofstadt claimed the two
leaders now "fully back a European army" and explained why it was important the European Union countries joined their military forces. He tweeted: "Macron and Merkel now fully
back a European army. That’s great news! I explained why we need it at the ALDE Congress in Madrid." Mr Verhofstad posted a video of his intervention at the ALDE Congress in which he
admitted he was not sure the EU would be prepared to defend itself against a Russian invasion. He said: “A new Europe, a truly sovereign Europe, able to protect its borders, able to protect
its interests, is the next thing that we need to do. “To stay up, if necessary against Putin. Do you know what the figures are today, dear friends? “We, the European countries, are spending
40 to 45 percent of the budget of the American army. But we are only capable to fulfil 10 to 15 percent of the operations of the American army. “I am a lawyer, but even I know that we are
three to four times less efficient than the Americans. “Moreover the reality is we spend three times more than the Russians Federation on the military but I’m not sure if the Russian army
comes towards our borders we are capable to defend ourselves without the American help. “It was President Macron in a speech during the commemoration of the First World War who said 28
different armies is a waste of money and at the same time it’s also a danger for our collective security and that has to change in Europe. “So, that’s our project." Speaking at a joint
conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel following their signed commitment to the Aachen Treaty French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the renewed alliance will allow Europe to
become the "new shield" against the "tumults in the world". The French leader argued the two nations' partnership will provide EU citizens with the "real
protection" they need. He said: “Our joint ambition should be that Europe becomes the new shield for the people against the new tumults in the world. “That is our contemporary
challenge, it is these new protections, it is our capacity to finally explain, show and demonstrate that the friendship between Germany and France, our common projects, that our ambition for
Europe is what protects us really, and is what really allows us to regain control of our lives and to construct our destinies, freely chosen, in the world.”