The head of the European Commission proposed creating a European Security Council with the participation of partner countries

The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has proposed an initiative to create a European Security Council with the participation of leaders from EU countries and partner states. She announced this during her annual address to the European Parliament.

It is proposed to include representatives from Canada, Norway, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom in the new structure. According to von der Leyen, the need for such a platform has become urgent due to the nature and scale of existing risks to the continent.

In addition, the head of the EC called for the creation of an alert mechanism in Europe, independent of NATO, for a joint response to hybrid threats. If one of the countries activates this mechanism, all 27 member states of the union would have to initiate mandatory emergency consultations. This system is intended to complement Article 4 of the NATO Treaty amid a growing number of cyberattacks, sabotage, and drone incidents.

In her speech, the head of the European Commission also proposed opening a path for Canada to achieve associate membership in the European Union, addressing the country's Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who was present at the event. Although the bloc's current treaties do not provide for such a status, the idea of associate membership has recently been actively discussed in European political circles.

Separately, the address touched upon the topic of supporting Ukraine in the upcoming winter. The European Union plans to provide humanitarian aid, assist in strengthening energy and heat supplies, and reinforce the country's air defense systems.