France could become 'the permanent EU ambassador to the UN'

Germany has called for France to give up its permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council so it can be turned into an 'EU seat'.

Finance minister Olaf Scholz said he recognised the move would 'take some convincing in Paris', but added that it would be a 'bold and smart goal'.

It comes after the leaders of France and Germany backed the creation of an EU army, a proposal Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson has described as 'crazy'.

Mr Scholz, who is also Germany's vice-chancellor, said: 'If we are to take the European Union seriously, the EU should speak with one voice within the UN Security Council. In the medium term, France's seat could be converted to a seat for the EU.'

German Finance Minister and Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz gives a speech on Europe at the Humboldt university in Berlin on Wednesday

He said to lessen France's pain, it could become 'the permanent EU ambassador to the UN'.

Mr Scholz also said European Union governments needed to work more closely on defence spending and creating weapons.

But his suggestion of taking France's seat was shot down by the French ambassador to the United States, Gerard Araud.

He described it as 'legally impossible' and 'politically impossible'.

France has been one of the five permanent Security Council members since the body was established after the Second World War to prevent another large-scale conflict.

UN Security Council meet to discuss Ukraine crisis. Other permanent members also include Britain, Russia and America, the victors of the war, plus China

Angela Merkel and Finance Minister Olaf Scholz arrive to attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Berlin, Germany this week.

The permanent members also include Britain, Russia and America, the victors of the war, plus China.

They are the most influential in the 193-member United Nations because they hold the right to veto UN resolutions. When Britain leaves the EU, France will be the union's only permanent member of the Security Council.