Von der Leyen calls for European Security Council and emergency protocol

Von der Leyen calls for an emergency security protocol for Europe

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called in a speech to the European Parliament for the establishment of a European Security Council and the preparation of an emergency protocol to bring all European Union members together during security incidents. Von der Leyen also addressed Gaza and the West Bank, irregular migration and the protection of Europe’s borders.

Scraper SystemSeptember 16, 2026, 02:10 PM

Von der Leyen calls for an emergency security protocol for Europe

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed establishing a new European Security Council in a speech to the European Parliament so that Europe can respond collectively to evolving threats. Von der Leyen also called for an EU-wide emergency security protocol to bring all European Union countries together during security incidents.

As the war in Ukraine continues, von der Leyen said that alleged Russian-origin hybrid threats targeting European countries have increased, adding that Europe’s security institutions and decision-making mechanisms have failed to keep pace with this new threat environment.

Von der Leyen said a common plan was needed to address incidents that fall below the threshold of an armed attack but pose a threat to national security. Referring to NATO’s Article 4, which provides for consultations when one of its members believes it is under threat, von der Leyen said Europe needed its own emergency security protocol.

Under the proposal, when a member state activates the protocol, European Union countries will come together to coordinate a joint European response, prevent escalation and limit the effects of the incident. Von der Leyen said the mechanism would not replace existing cooperation with NATO but would complement it.

Von der Leyen also announced that she would present proposals for establishing the European Security Council. The format, which will focus on European security, is planned to bring together EU leaders and partners such as Canada, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Norway.

Developments in Gaza and the West Bank

Addressing the Middle East, von der Leyen said the humanitarian suffering in Gaza and the violence in the West Bank had deeply affected Europeans, describing as unacceptable the E1 settlement project that the Israeli government had decided to advance in the West Bank.

Recalling that Europe had previously said it needed to take action in response to developments in the region, von der Leyen said EU member states had been unable to muster the majority needed for a joint response. Saying that Europe could not change the course of events as long as it remained divided, von der Leyen stated that they supported Israel’s right to defend itself and that Palestinians had the right to live in security and dignity.

Von der Leyen said Europe needed to keep alive the hope of a two-state solution and that this was Europe’s role.

Migration and protection of external borders

Von der Leyen also addressed migration and Europe’s external borders, raising the issue of thousands of irregular migrants attempting to cross the border in Ceuta, Spain’s territory in North Africa, since the end of July. Saying that the incidents differed in nature but shared common elements, von der Leyen said human traffickers and networks transporting migrants through illegal routes were exploiting vulnerable people.

Von der Leyen alleged that Europe’s rivals were also exploiting these movements. She announced that the European Commission had proposed sanctions targeting human traffickers and those engaged in migrant smuggling.

Von der Leyen said Europe needed tools to protect its external borders, particularly in situations where mass movements were deliberately created and used as a tool. She said a new European emergency instrument would be prepared and activated only when strictly defined criteria were met. She added that the mechanism would provide time-limited and clearly defined flexibility in standard procedures in such situations.

Reaction to glorification of war criminals

Emphasizing that respect for European Union values was non-negotiable, von der Leyen also referred to an incident in Serbia, which is seeking EU membership. Saying she was horrified by footage from the funeral ceremony held in Belgrade last week for Bosnian Serb military commander Ratko Mladić, von der Leyen accused Mladić of committing grave crimes against humanity.

Von der Leyen said there was no place in the European Union for the glorification of war criminals.

Von der Leyen calls for an emergency security protocol for Europe