In terms of defense policy, "it is quite clear that the current state of affairs in the European Union is ineffective," said Verheugen, 60, former EU enlargement commissioner who is to be enterprise and industry commissioner and a vice president on the incoming team.

It is "ridiculous that each country has its own army, its own recruitment systems and its own weapons projects," he was quoted as saying.

"Europe should be able to back up its foreign policy, for example with EU missions" for peacekeeping, he said.

"In today's world, one does not ask: how many diplomats can you send ? but rather how many troops to back up the diplomatic solution?," he said.

"If 10 years ago you had asked me, I would have said we don't need one (an EU army).

"Today, you have to understand that the rest of the world sees us as a continental power that does not assume its responsibilities. It turns out that even the Americans can't manage without us," Verheugen, a German, said.

He deplored that "for some time, European solidarity has been lacking," but said "this is not surprising when we have politicians who come off as critics of Europe" and "attack Europe for lack of something else".

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