TL:DR – Ursula von der Leyen Calls for Activation of EU Mutual Defence Clause at Munich Conference
• Ursula von der Leyen challenged NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Saturday, asserting that Europe must become more self-reliant in security.
• Von der Leyen called for activation of the EU’s mutual defence clause under Article 42.7 during her speech at the Munich Security Conference.
• European defence spending has increased by nearly 80% since the onset of Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to von der Leyen.
• She stressed the necessity for faster decision-making in defence matters, advocating for qualified majority voting instead of unanimity.
• The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, urged the UK to strengthen ties with the EU for urgent defence collaboration in light of the Ukraine conflict.
Von der Leyen rebukes NATO chief over ‘no security without US’, calls for European mutual defence
Ursula von der Leyen Challenges NATO’s Mark Rutte on European Security
On Saturday, 18 February 2023, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, directly challenged NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte regarding Europe’s capability to guarantee its own security. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, von der Leyen emphasised the need for European leaders to energise commitments to mutual defence among EU nations.
Her statements underscore the urgency of addressing the continent’s security landscape, as discussions around European independence in defence continue to gain traction. Von der Leyen asserted, “I believe the time has come to bring Europe’s mutual defence clause to life,” referencing the EU’s mutual defence clause under Article 42.7.
European Defence Needs Action and Trust
The mutual defence clause, part of EU founding treaties, has remained largely unexploited. “Mutual defence is not optional for the EU, it is an obligation,” von der Leyen insisted, highlighting the necessity for the EU to enhance its military capabilities without solely depending on NATO.
Rutte’s earlier comments suggesting Europe could not defend itself without US support sparked outrage. Von der Leyen countered this view, stating, “Let’s develop our strength without constantly leaning on someone else,” in response to Rutte’s assertion that Europe’s current defence spending is insufficient.
Urgency in European Security Collaboration
In her address, von der Leyen noted that European defence spending has surged by nearly 80% since the onset of Russia’s war against Ukraine but urged that “no taboo can go unchallenged.” She explained that “this commitment only carries weight if it is built on trust and capability,” referring to Article 42.7.
The clause mandates that EU countries must support one another in case of armed aggression, yet it has been invoked only once, following the 2015 Paris attacks. Von der Leyen urged Europe’s need for quicker decision-making and suggested that the EU might need to rely on qualified majority voting instead of unanimity.
Enhanced Partnerships for European Security
Additionally, von der Leyen called for strengthening partnerships, particularly with nations like the UK, to enhance collective security strategies. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, who participated in the discussion, echoed her sentiments on the urgency of rekindling the UK-EU relationship a decade after the Brexit referendum.
He remarked that Europe as a whole “hasn’t done enough” for its defence and must “seize this moment” to bolster its security. Von der Leyen concluded by asserting Europe’s need for broader independence across various sectors, highlighting the importance of “digital sovereignty” and the necessity for the EU to remain resolute in defending its interests.
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