Several European federalist organisations - UEF, Groupe Spinelli, Association Jean Monnet - are urging European leaders to take note of the “fundamental” change in transatlantic relations, now characterised by “a systematic policy of coercion” from Washington, and to take a series of measures as a result, such as activating the provisions of the EU Treaty (Articles 42.2 and 42.6) relating to a common defence policy, in a letter sent on Wednesday 21 January to the President of the European Council, António Costa - in other words, before US President Donald Trump backed down from his threats of a trade war with EU countries to get his way on Greenland.
Activating these provisions, at least for those Member States wishing to form a “European Security Council”, would make it possible to create an independent European defence system responsible for the territorial defence of the countries concerned.
Calling for an end to unanimity in decision-making in the EU Council, federalist organisations advocate the use of the ‘passerelle’ clauses in the Treaty, which allow qualified majority voting by the Member States in many areas (see EUROPE 12996/18).
European federalists are urging Mr Costa to press ahead with an institutional review, in line with the procedure initiated by the European Parliament in 2023 to convene a Convention to revise the Treaties (see EUROPE 13298/7).
See the letter from the organisations: https://aeur.eu/f/ke8 (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)