Von der Leyen Wants New European Security Council

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on Wednesday for the creation of a European Security Council and a new emergency security protocol to help the EU respond more quickly to security crises.

The proposed council could bring together the EU with close partners including Canada, the United Kingdom, Norway and Ukraine. Under the emergency protocol, a member state facing a security threat could trigger consultations among all EU countries to coordinate a response.

“Europe needs its own counter-hybrid playbook”, von der Leyen said in her State of the Union address to the European Parliament, referring to threats such as cyberattacks, sabotage, arson and drone incursions.

Von der Leyen also pledged continued strong support for Ukraine through the coming winter. She called for the urgent delivery of US Patriot interceptor missiles while arguing that Europe must reduce its dependence on a single supplier by developing cheaper missile-defense systems in cooperation with Ukraine.

She separately proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member, a status that does not currently exist under the bloc’s treaties.

Turning to climate policy, von der Leyen said the EU must dramatically increase its preparedness for the effects of climate change following another summer of extreme weather. She said Europe would not retreat from its climate goals and announced that the Commission would present a comprehensive Climate Resilience Framework in October.

The Commission will also propose a European Heatwave Plan focused on early-warning systems and health preparedness, alongside measures intended to increase insurance coverage against natural disasters.

(Reuters, max)