The EU’s little-known way to save Greenland without NATO

BRUSSELS — If Donald Trump uses military force to take over Greenland, Denmark has options beyond NATO. The core of Denmark's security rests on the transatlantic alliance — but that's likely to be of little help in a confrontation with the U.S. as America dominates NATO. Instead, Denmark could trigger a little-known clause in the EU treaties: Article 42.7 , the European Union's common defense pact. Advertisement While some analysts claim it's actually stronger than NATO's better-known Article 5 common defense provision, article 42.7 comes with a lot of caveats and unknowns. POLITICO took at look at five questions on the provision and whether it would make sense for Denmark to trigger it: 1. What does it say? "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, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. This shall not prejudice the specific character of the security and defence policy of certain Member States." The clause was inserted into the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, aimed at giving EU members protection similar to that afforded by NATO. It does give neutral countries some wiggle room in opting out. For many analysts, the EU’s mutual assistance clause “is of a more compelling nature” as it states that member countries have “an obligation” to provide “all aid and assistance by all the means in their power.” NATO’s Article 5 includes the phrase “as it deems necessary” which leaves more room for national discretion. The EU version “is stronger in diplomatic language but the pool of forces is smaller than in the NATO framework,” said Alexander Mattelaer, an associate professor in international security at the Free University Brussels' School of Governance. Advertisement 2. Has it ever been used? Only once. In 2015, France invoked the article in response to ISIS-led terrorist attacks. It allowed Paris to redeploy some of its troops out of Africa to use them to patrol French streets, while EU countries like Germany sent their soldiers to countries like Mali. The request was supported unanimously by other EU defense ministers. Because the EU has no army, Paris had to negotiate with other EU countries for specific military help. Any EU response that requires unanimity means Denmark could run into problems if countries like Hungary veto its approval. | Nicolas Tucat/AFP via Getty Images 3. How does it work? It would be up to Denmark to invoke it. Then, as was the case with France, it would have to be unanimously accepted by all the other member countries. But any EU response that requires unanimity means Denmark could run into problems if countries like Hungary veto its approval, two EU diplomats said. Advertisement “I don't think Denmark would invoke it without being sure it has unanimity because it would be a great risk,” said Antonio Missiroli, a former NATO assistant secretary-general who also worked at the European...

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