European People’s Party leaders met in Zagreb to better utilize EU mutual defense clause as Trump’s NATO engagement raises concerns.
European People’s Party on EU Joint Defense
Politico reported on Monday (February 2) that leaders of the European People’s Party during a weekend meeting in Zagreb decided that “they want to better utilize the EU’s mutual defense clause amid growing concerns about Donald Trump’s engagement in NATO.” German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen participated in the event.
The plan assumes that the group will entrust two, as yet unnamed, heads of state or government with analyzing the possibilities for implementing Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union. This provision obliges member states to provide “assistance and support by any means available” in case of an attack on one of the EU member states.
Meanwhile, a program document published by the EPL on Sunday (February 1) outlined nine areas where the European Union should develop military capabilities if it wants to become independent from the United States. “The discussion on launching the EU’s mutual defense clause is taking place during the most serious transatlantic crisis in decades, after Donald Trump’s claims on Greenland have shaken faith in the permanence of American security guarantees within NATO,” Politico emphasized.
Denmark-USA-Greenland Talks
On the previous Wednesday (January 28), talks were held between Denmark, Greenland, and the United States. The head of Danish diplomacy responded to them with slight optimism. Lars Lokke Rasmussen told journalists in Brussels that “they proceeded successfully and in a constructive atmosphere.” – The talks have not yet yielded results. But I am a bit more optimistic today than a week ago, said Lars Lokke Rasmussen before a meeting of EU foreign ministers.
The diplomatic meeting took place after weeks of tension between Denmark and the United States, caused by multiple statements from Donald Trump about his intention to take over Greenland.
