GETTY The dossier has been published by the ALDE group, led by Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt

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In a dossier compiled by the liberal ALDE grouping, which is headed by Brexit negotiator Guy Verhofstadt, MEPs call for “EU integrated military forces” to intervene on behalf of the bloc across the globe. They say Brussels needs “autonomous” military capabilities which would have their own budget, be under the direct command of eurocrats and wear the EU ensign into battle. The document, which has no official weight and is likely to be rejected by member states, will nonetheless unnerve some politicians who fear the bloc is creeping towards ever greater militarisation.

EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has repeatedly insisted eurocrats are not creating their own army, but critics say a raft of recent defence reforms are preparing the ground for precisely that. The vision put forward by ALDE, which is dominated by eurofederalists, will almost certainly be deemed wildly unrealistic but even a significantly watered down version would mark a radical shift in the role of the EU. Committed europhiles have been pressing for more EU military integration for decades but with Britain - a longstanding opponent to such an approach - leaving the bloc there is a sense some of their ambitions will now come to pass.

Linking to the document, Mr Verhofstadt tweeted: “The Internal & external threats Europe faces call for a major leap towards full-fledge European Defence Union, NOW!” In the dossier, titled “a roadmap towards EU integrated military forces”, the coalition of liberal parties calls on member states to “progressively provide the EU with urgently needed defence capability”. They say there should be a “progressive integration of Member States military forces and the “development of a clear decision making framework, with political leadership and one budget”. The dossier states: “As the very end-goal, the roadmap would aim at building a supranational military force. The roadmap would be realised under the lead and political responsibility of EUCO President, with implementation roles of the European Defence Agency, the European Commission and EU Member States.

The roadmap would aim at building a supranational military force MEPs' proposal

It says there must be a common budget, funded by the member states, which would pay for the “command structure, joint military operations and the equipment and assets in ownership of the EU”. But despite the fact they were paying for it, national MPs would not be given significant oversight of the military forces with power resting in the hands of the Commission and the Council of leaders. The ALDE proposal says: “When committing to the European Defence Union, Member States would also agree to adapt their internal procedures (including parliamentary consents) so as to give an advance agreement with deployment of certain vital components of the integrated military force.” The new military would be “fully operational in all dimensions of warfare (Land, Air, Sea, and Cyber). Added should be also Special Forces (chemical etc.) as well as logistical and medical capabilities.”

11 things you need to know about NATO Tue, February 14, 2017 NATO - The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an intergovernmental military alliance based on the North Atlantic Treaty which was signed on 4th April 1949. The organization constitutes a system of collective defence whereby its member states agree to mutual defence in response to an attack by any external party. Play slideshow Getty Images 1 of 11 Every member country, no matter how large or small, has an equal say in discussions and decisions. Photo shows: Signing the North Atlantic Treaty which marked the beginning of NATO, 1949.