By Joseph Jankowski

The latest EU foreign policy document, titled “A Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign And Security Policy,” calls for an extension of the Union’s influence in regions as far as Central Asia and Central Africa.

It also outlines “gradual synchronisation and mutual adaptation” between different member states’ individual defense strategies.

“The EU wants its own Empire as former Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso made clear when he was in charge,” UKIP’s defence spokesman Mike Hookem said. “This global strategy by the EU is yet another reason why last Thursday’s result was a lucky escape for the UK.”

The Executive Summary of the document reads:

It is in the interests of our citizens to invest in the resilience of states and societies to the east stretching into Central Asia, and to the south down to Central Africa. Under the current EU enlargement policy, a credible accession process grounded in strict and fair conditionality is vital to enhance the resilience of countries in the Western Balkans and of Turkey. Under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), many people wish to build closer relations with the Union: our enduring power of attraction can spur transformation in these countries.

The documents speaks of transforming the current EU system and commits to the deliverance of a global governing body.

EU Foreign Policy Cheif Federica Mogherini writes in the Foreword:

We will invest in regional orders, and in cooperation among and within regions. And we will promote reformed global governance, one that can meet the challenges of this 21st century. We will engage in a practical and principled way, sharing global responsibilities with our partners and contributing to their strengths. We have learnt the lesson: my neighbour’s and my partner’s weaknesses are my own weaknesses. So we will invest in win-win solutions, and move beyond the illusion that international politics can be a zero-sum game.

The latest plan outlines how the EU wants autonomy in defense and security matters.

“European security and defence efforts should enable the EU to act autonomously while also contributing to and undertaking action in co-operation with NATO,” the Brussels document reads.

Member States need the technological and industrial means to acquire and sustain those capabilities which underpin their ability to act autonomously.

It goes on to read, “Gradual synchronisation and mutual adaption of national defence planning cycles and capability development practice can enhance strategic convergence between Member States.”

When asked if he believed the document showed Brussels was positioning itself as a rival to NATO, UKIP’s Mike Hookem said: “I’m not sure whether in reality it will be a threat to NATO.”

“Although I am sure it would like to be, because NATO are competent,” says Hookem.

The fear of a European army was at the core of the Brexit campaign as Armed Forces Minister Penny Mordaunt warned that if Britain were to stay in the EU, it would be forced to join the EU’s army.

According to reports from Brussels, the Global Strategy document was kept secret as the UK was preparing to hold a referendum on its EU membership out of fears that it could affect the outcome by boosting the “Leave” campaign’s popularity.

Several European politicians have recently voiced support for the creation of an EU army.