This clause is often compared to NATO’s Article 5, which provides for collective defense in the event of an attack on a member country.
By Claudio TITO
If a member state of the European Union becomes the object of armed aggression on its territory, other member states have a legal obligation to assist it.
This is not just a political option, but a clear obligation laid down in Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union. This article contains the so-called “mutual defence clause”, which obliges Member States to provide assistance and assistance by all means at their disposal, in accordance with Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. This clause is often compared to Article 5 of NATO, which provides for collective defence in the event of an attack on a Member State. However, there is an important difference: not all EU countries are part of NATO. For example, Cyprus is a member of the EU but not of NATO. If Cyprus were attacked by another country, such as Iran, the European Union would be obliged to react under the treaty.
Article 42 states that the common security and defence policy is an integral part of the EU’s foreign policy. To date, this clause has not been formally activated in a classic war situation between states. There have been informal discussions in cases of international tensions, but no formal decision for collective military intervention under this article.
The decision to launch a military mission within the EU must be adopted by the European Council unanimously, on a proposal from the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. However, the treaty also provides for the possibility of “enhanced cooperation”. This means that a group of member states can take on a specific mission to protect the interests and values of the European Union, without all countries having to participate. In this case, the decision can be taken by a qualified majority and not necessarily by full unanimity.
A crucial aspect is coordination with NATO. The EU treaty itself states that commitments in the field of defense must be consistent with the obligations of member states within NATO, which remains the main basis of collective defense for the states that are part of it. This means that any action by the EU in the event of aggression must be harmonized with the structures and strategies of the Euro-Atlantic Alliance.
In an increasingly tense international context, the mutual defense clause takes on particular importance. It reinforces the idea that the European Union is not only an economic and political union, but also a security community. If a member state is attacked, the response should not be isolated, but joint. This is because the security of one is the security of all. (La Repubblica)