Germany's finance minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said on Sunday Europe needs a common army to deal with the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants, many fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East.

European countries will have to increase spending on defense, Schaeuble told Bild am Sonntag . "Ultimately our aim must be a joint European army. The funds that we spend on our 28 national armies could be used far more effectively together," Schaeuble said.

Schaeuble sought to offer to comprom...