Around forty European countries include their “key security principles” in a “charter”

Around forty countries from “wider Europe”, beyond the European Union, have included the “key principles” of their security in a “charter”. This declaration was adopted by 39 states on Thursday, November 12, at the initiative of France, in Dublin during a summit of the European Political Community (EPC) which includes 47 countries. These signatories, including Germany, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Italy and Poland, have “agreed on common principles of future security for Europe,” declared Emmanuel Macron.

“At a time when many would like to see Europe out of discussions concerning its security and stability, this declaration is extremely important”, because “it precisely recognizes the need for a start at the bottom of this broad Europe”, he added. The text ensures that the foundations of the security of the Old Continent still rest on existing texts, such as the Charter of the United Nations or the treaties of the Atlantic Alliance and the EU. “The references to NATO in the declaration are important, because in the end it is obviously NATO which will have to ensure security, whatever happens subsequently,” said British Prime Minister Andy Burnham, one of the last to sign.

The signatories "recognize that European states" take "greater responsibility for the security of Europe, which will also contribute positively to global and transatlantic security", according to the English text translated by AFP.

“Strengthening the resilience of our democracies”

They believe that these “key principles” can help achieve “a just and lasting peace for Ukraine, which will be of the greatest importance for the stability of Europe”. They reaffirm that "any question affecting European security must be decided with the Europeans", at a time when their presence at the negotiating table with Russia is being discussed.

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The countries signatories to the charter assure that Moscow's "hybrid campaigns" will only "strengthen their commitment to Ukraine and their determination". One of the originalities of this declaration is to include, beyond traditional security, these "hybrid" threats, advocating the "autonomous" capacity of the signatories to face with a "360-degree approach" the risks hovering over Europe. This implies “strengthening the resilience and robustness of our democracies”, in particular to counter “informational” interference. The charter also includes the fight against terrorism, drug trafficking and migrant smugglers.