European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed a new European security strategy and the creation of a European Security Council during her annual State of the Union address.
According to her, the European Union will draft the new strategy in cooperation with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The aim is for European institutions and decision-making processes to adapt to the new reality of security threats.
Von der Leyen said that Europe is facing an increase in cyberattacks, sabotage, arson and airspace violations by drones, emphasizing the need for increased preparedness of member states.
She also announced that the European Commission will present proposals for the creation of a European Security Council. This structure is expected to include partners such as Canada, Norway, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, with the aim of coordinating the response to growing threats.
Addressing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, von der Leyen stated that the EU wants to take relations with Canada to the highest possible level. She said the aim is to create the conditions for Canada to become the first country with associated status with the EU and for both sides to build a shared area of economic prosperity and security.
Another proposal by von der Leyen was to create a European mechanism for responding to hybrid threats, similar to Article 4 of the NATO Treaty. She referred to it as a “European Article 4” or “Emergency Security Protocol.”
Under the proposal, if a member state triggers the mechanism, EU countries will come together to coordinate a joint response. The aim would be to prevent the situation from escalating and limit the consequences of an attack.
In the field of defense, the Commission President also announced the creation of a European Instrument for Strategic Capabilities, which, according to her, will be fully harmonized with NATO.
The instrument aims to strengthen European strategic capabilities in areas such as air and missile defence, strategic transport, air-to-air refuelling, space and cyber defence.
"Europe will defend every square meter of its territory," declared Ursula von der Leyen.
