The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, called for the reactivation of the European Union’s mutual defence clause in a speech where she emphasised the need for Europe to become more self-sufficient to ensure its security. «I believe it is the right moment to activate Europe’s mutual defence clause.» Mutual defence is a responsibility for the EU. It is our duty to support each other in the event of an attack, the European leader stated during her speech at the Munich Security Conference. This provision was incorporated into the Lisbon Treaty in 2007, in Article 42.7, which establishes that EU member states have the responsibility to provide help and support using all available resources if a member state suffers aggression on its territory. The assistance may be of a military nature, but it can also encompass diplomatic support or medical assistance.
Von der Leyen calls for the revival of the EU’s mutual defence clause: «The time has come»
