Activation of Article 42(7) TEU: France's request for assistance and Member States’ responses

Briefing 10-12-2015

Following the terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015, France has requested aid and assistance from the other Member States based on Article 42(7) TEU. France's request is the first activation of the mutual assistance clause since Article 42(7) TEU was introduced by the Lisbon Treaty. Member States expressed their solidarity and political support to France instantly and unanimously. Within days, several Member States, among them Germany and the United Kingdom, decided on a series of initial contributions. More decisions are expected in the days and weeks to come from several other Member States, subject, in some cases, to parliamentary approval. This will allow France to reconsider its engagements and redeploy its military. Furthermore, it could contribute to enhancing intelligence sharing and stepping up counter-terrorism cooperation. There is also a window of opportunity to strengthen political cooperation, as Member States are expressing their full support to the Vienna process for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in Syria.