Von der Leyen proposes EU defense protocol and associate membership for Canada in Strasbourg address

Emergency defense protocol and security council

In her annual State of the European Union address in Strasbourg on 16 September 2026, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced plans for a European defense protocol modeled on NATO Article 4. Under this mechanism, any member state facing an acute threat can trigger an emergency consultation involving all EU members to coordinate a unified response, prevent escalation, and mitigate impacts. Von der Leyen also proposed establishing a European Security Council to streamline strategic decisions. She noted that EU defense spending expanded by nearly 80% over the preceding five years, reflecting structural changes following the war in Ukraine. The Commission pledged to accelerate deliveries of Patriot air defense interceptors to Kyiv and partner with Ukraine on developing lower-cost missile defense systems.

The time has come for a European equivalent of Article 4, an emergency security protocol. Triggering it by one member state would result in convening all member states to coordinate a European response, prevent further escalation, and mitigate consequences.

Strategic partnership with Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the Strasbourg plenary as a special guest, becoming the first non-EU head of government to attend the annual address. Von der Leyen called for opening a pathway for Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union. The proposal builds on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), signed 10 years ago. Planned areas of cooperation include a technology alliance, integration of defense industrial bases, and joint projects in the Arctic. Von der Leyen stressed that the initiative aims to strengthen shared capabilities rather than target specific third countries, while addressing global supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical pressures.

Social media restrictions and enlargement roadmaps

The Commission presented details of an upcoming digital initiative aimed at online platforms, known as the Kids Act. The proposed legislation introduces an outright ban on social media access for children under 13 years of age. For adolescents aged 13 to 14, access would be restricted to parent-supervised mini-accounts, with formal legislative texts scheduled for presentation on 17 September. Von der Leyen also outlined upcoming accession roadmaps for candidate countries, focusing on Ukraine, Moldova, and candidates in the Western Balkans. Addressing regional reconciliation, she condemned the funeral of Ratko Mladic in Belgrade, stating that honoring convicted war criminals contradicts European values and standards.

There is no place in the European Union for the glorification of war criminals.

Raw materials, energy security, and continental congress

To counter supply disruptions, including oil supply volatility linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the Commission proposed creating a joint European corporation to procure critical raw materials. Von der Leyen noted that the EU trade deficit with China reached a critical level, requiring focused bilateral dialogue to rebalance commercial terms. Additional policy initiatives include a European heatwave action plan, accelerated AI integration in healthcare, and a crisis framework for managing sudden mass migration movements. Commemorating the 1948 Congress of Europe, von der Leyen announced plans for a new Congress of Europe in 2027, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome to bring together scientists, writers, and civic leaders.

In the cold fragility of today's world, only Europe can provide Europeans with true sovereignty. The fate of Europe must remain in the hands of Europeans.