European Parliament 2014-2019
Plenary sitting
B8-0058/2016
14.1.2016
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION
to wind up the debate on the statement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
pursuant to Rule 123(2) of the Rules of Procedure
on the implementation of the mutual assistance clause, Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union (2015/3034(RSP))
Urmas Paet, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Louis Michel, Jozo Radoš, Marietje Schaake, Pavel Telička, Johannes Cornelis van Baalen, Hilde Vautmans, Guy Verhofstadt, Ivo Vajgl on behalf of the ALDE Group
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EN United in diversity EN
B8-0058/2016
European Parliament resolution on the implementation of the mutual assistance clause, Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union (2015/3034(RSP))
The European Parliament,
– having regard to the 2004 Madrid terrorist attacks, the 2005 London terrorist attacks, the 2014 Brussels terrorist attacks and the multiple 2015 Paris terrorist attacks,
– having regard to the speech made by the President of the French Republic before a joint session of the French Parliament on 16 November 2015,
– having regard to Title V of the Treaty on European Union (TEU) and its Article 42(7),
– having regard to Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),
– having regard to Article 2(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),
– having regard to the European Security Strategy adopted by the European Council on 12 December 2003, and to the report on its implementation endorsed by the European Council on 11-12 December 2008,
– having regard to its resolution of 22 November 2012 on the EU’s mutual defence and solidarity clauses: political and operational dimensions1,
– having regard to the Charter of the United Nations, and specifically to the provisions of its Chapter VII and Article 51,
– having regard to the conclusions on defence and security adopted by the European Council on 19-20 December 2013,
– having regard to the conclusions on defence and security adopted by the European Council on 25-26 June 2015,
– having regard to the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council meeting (of Defence Ministers) of 16 and 17 November 2015, presided by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini,
– having regard to Rule 123(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas the EU has suffered several terrorist attacks since 2004, in which hundreds were killed and several thousand injured;
B. whereas the most recent terrorist attack perpetrated against the EU and its citizens
1 OJ C 419, 16.12.2015, p. 138.
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occurred in Paris on 13 November 2015, killing 130 Europeans and injuring 368;
C. whereas there is an ongoing and growing terrorist menace across the EU, promoting a dramatic change in the freedoms of EU citizens;
D. whereas in response to the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015, the French Government officially invoked the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union (TEU));
E. whereas the principle of collective defence enshrined in Article V of NATO’s North Atlantic Treaty should have the same weight as Article 42(7) TEU for the EU;
F. whereas solidarity, aid and mutual assistance among the EU Member States, including through the recourse to Union means, form part of the foundations of the EU;
G. whereas homeland security and the fight against terrorism are a priority for the EU; whereas a joint common strategy is needed for all Member States;
H. whereas the EU and its Member States need to cease outsourcing their security and defence strategy and capabilities to external actors;
I. whereas the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy has the responsibility to coordinate and act proactively in matters of such importance as these;
J. whereas the security and defence building capacity enshrined in the Treaties is still to be accomplished; whereas it is the Member States’ responsibility to achieve a European Security and Defence Union; whereas a European Security and Defence Union will enable a stronger North Atlantic Treaty Organization, consequently promoting further and more effective European, transatlantic and global security and defence;
1. Expresses full solidarity with all victims of the terrorist attacks that have taken place in the EU since 2004, and with their families and friends;
2. Acknowledges and welcomes the unanimous support given to France by all EU Member States; welcomes the readiness of all Member States to provide the full necessary aid and assistance;
3. Notes with satisfaction the additional contributions of capabilities made available in the fight against terrorism; calls on all Member States to maintain their unconditional and enduring support; welcomes France’s role as a catalyst in this common endeavour;
4. Draws attention to the fact that the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7) of the Treaty on European Union) was invoked for the first time; believes that the current case will establish a precedent for the future use of this clause;
5. Regrets that the application of Article 42(7) TEU has not been proactively led or coordinated by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, leading to a missed opportunity to benchmark a true European response; recalls that many operational constraints have been met and that some EU institutions, especially the European Council, are failing to act as facilitators and are not using their
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full potential to ensure a collective and effective response vis-à-vis the application of the mutual assistance clause;
6. Calls on the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in close cooperation with the European Council and the Commission, to identify the relevant Union means and procedures within the scope of the mutual assistance clause (Article 42(7)) to coordinate and lead such operations;
7. Regrets the inexistence of guidelines and analysis regarding the activation of the mutual assistance clause, which has led to the present reality of ad-hoc measures, ad-hoc management and ad-hoc cooperation;
8. Considers the activation of the mutual assistance clause a singular opportunity to establish the grounds for a strong and sustainable European Security and Defence Union; is of the opinion that only with an autonomous security and defence capability will the EU be equipped and ready to face the overwhelming internal and external security menaces and challenges;
9. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the President of the European Council, the President of the European Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Secretary General of NATO and the Secretary-General of the UN.
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