Getty EU army has been backed by EU boss Jean-Claude Juncker

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Czech Republic Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said on Monday the soon to be 27-member club needs to come up with a joint military force to face increasing threats from terrorism, Russia aggression and the unparalleled influx of refugees. Speaking to a meeting of Czech diplomats in Prague, he said a common EU army should not compete with NATO but should make the EU a "more actionable and reliable partner". Mr Sobotka joins a growing number of European leaders and officials who are calling to intensify military integration following the Brexit vote and terrorist attacks across Europe this summer.

I'm convinced that we can't do without a common European army in the long term Bohuslav Sobotka

Polish MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke yesterday said the bloc's leadership wanted Britain to leave the EU because it presented a major hurdle to creating a European army. He said: "My opinion is Brexit was supported by Mr Junker and the EU leadership because Britain was an obstacle to greater unification of the EU and to the European army. "I'm afraid there is a chance, if there was not, Mr Junker would not speak about it."

Getty Czech PM Bohuslav Sobotka said the EU needs an army to protect itself from terrorism and Russia

His comments came after European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Sunday the EU needed its own armed forces to "fulfil" its mission in the world - despite the Commission insisting in June there were no plans for an EU army. Britain has always pushed hard to prevent an EU army being formed, making it clear military action should be coordinated through NATO and they would veto any decision to create a pan-European army.

However, its departure from the EU - which could happen by 2020 - has opened up an opportunity for remaining EU superpowers, Germany and France, to push forward with altering the way security is provided within the Brussels club. Both nations have shown clear support for closer cooperation, something which many Britons voted against when they voted to leave the EU.

Getty Polish MEP Janusz Korwin-Mikke said Juncker had been planning an EU army all along

Getty Jean-Claude Juncker denied he was planning an EU army, but previously said he wanted one

Mr Sobotka revealed leaders are set to discuss a joint army at a meeting of all 27 remaining member countries' leaders next month. He said: "I'm convinced that we can't do without a common European army in the long term. "I hope that the autumn European summit will bring concrete proposals and pledges."

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