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EU member states agree to provide military assistance to France

Xinhua, November 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

European Union member states on Tuesday agreed to offer military assistance to France, EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini said at a joint press conference with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves le Drian.

Mogherini said France had requested aid and assistance in accordance with article 42.7 of the EU Treaty after the Paris attacks.

"Today, the European Union, through the voices of all the defense ministers of all the EU member states unanimously expressed its strongest full support and readiness to provide all the aid and assistance required and needed," she said.

According to the article, if a member state is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, other member states shall have towards it an obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power.

Mogherini said there was no formal decision or council conclusion to be taken to evoke the article, which has never been used before in the history of the EU. She also clarified this does not imply EU Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) mission or operation."

"This calls for aid and assistance bilaterally and the European Union can facilitate this and coordinate this, whenever and however it is useful and necessary," said Mogherini.

Le Drian said the invocation of article for the first time "is a political act of important significant."

EU defense ministers met in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss new defense initiatives and capacity building in support of security and development. Endit