Brussels: The USinfo-icon and Australian decision to strip Franceinfo-icon of a submarine supply contract was a stark reminder the EU must bolster its own capacity to act independently of its allies, Germanyinfo-icon's Europe minister said Tuesday.

"It is once again a wake-up call for all of us in the European Unioninfo-icon to ask ourselves how we can strengthen our sovereignty, how we can present a united front even on issues relevant to foreign and security policy," Michael Roth said, arriving at ministerial talks in Brussels.