France Invokes EU's Mutual Assistance Clause in Wake of Paris Attacks

France invoked the European Union’s mutual assistance clause at a meeting of defense ministers in Brussels on November 17. It is the first time clause 42.7 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty has been invoked.

The EU’s High Representative for External Affairs Federica Mogherini read the article at a press conference. It states that, “If a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power.”

Mogherini said the French move “did not require” any formal decisions from member states. Credit: European Commission