Military conscription is not under consideration for an envisaged European army, which would be funded by "also by a financial instrument", according to Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani.
"We also need a financial instrument for a European defence," said Tajani, a strong supporter of a European army, which he recently suggested could be funded by Eurobonds.
"Europe needs to count more, including within Nato - there needs to be a balance between Europe and the United States," Tajani told private TV channel Rete 4.
"I don't think we'll return to military draft - I don't see that's on the agenda," Tajani said.
