France has put forward a new initiative to create a European Security Council, which is intended to be an effective mechanism for rapid decision-making in the field of EU foreign policy and defense in the face of growing global threats.
According to the French authorities, the new body will enable Europe to act more cohesively and decisively in crisis situations, without relying solely on existing EU institutions, which often require unanimous agreement from all 27 member states. The idea of a “European Security Council” has been discussed periodically in recent years, especially since 2019, when France and Germany first actively promoted such a format for coordinating foreign policy and maintaining close cooperation with the UK after Brexit.
According to the latest proposals, the permanent members could include the largest and most influential EU countries — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland — as well as several states on a rotational basis to ensure geographical balance. It is assumed that the European Commission could also participate in the council’s work, and the UK could participate as an observer.
French politicians emphasize that the new council will not replace existing EU structures, but will complement them, allowing for rapid policy coordination, strategy development, and rapid response to crises — based on the model of the successful E3 trilateral format (France–Germany–United Kingdom). + The EU High Representative, who has proven his effectiveness in the Iranian nuclear deal.
The idea is expected to be actively discussed at the upcoming meetings of the European Council and within the framework of Franco-German defense cooperation. Paris believes that the creation of a “European Security Council” could be one of the key steps towards achieving true strategic autonomy for Europe in a rapidly changing world.
No official draft decision has been presented yet, but according to sources at the Élysée Palace, France intends to put this issue on the agenda as early as the first half of 2026.