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European Commission evolving into a govt: Prodi

LONDON: Europe is forming its own government and army and its nations must band together or disappear from the history books, European Commission President Romano Prodi said.

In an interview with The Independent published on Friday, Prodi said the Commission was gradually evolving into a fledgling government.

The remarks were characterised by the newspaper as a strong challenge to anti-EU "Eurosceptics" in British politics.

"European government is a clear expression I still use," Prodi said.

"You need time, but step by step -- as in the Austrian case -- the European Commission takes a political decision and acts like a growing government."

Europe is planning to reduce contacts with Vienna following the emergence of a new coalition including the far-right Freedom Party of Joerg Haider.

On the question of a European army, Prodi said: "I was not joking.

"If you don't want to call it a European army, don't call it a European army. You can call it 'Margaret', you can call it 'Mary Ann', but it is a joint effort for peace-keeping missions -- the first time you have a joint, not bilateral effort at European level."

Prodi was referring to a recent EU leaders' decision to establish a common body for peace-keeping and humanitarian relief tasks.

Prodi also challenged Europe's big countries to co-operate with him in the interests of their own survival.

"If, in the new globalisation, our strong nation states don't join the effort (they) will disappear or will have only a marginal role," he said.-Reuters