French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe must be able to stand on its own in security matters, arguing that the continent can no longer afford to be seen only through the lens of dependence on Washington. Speaking in Athens, Macron pointed to the European Union’s mutual assistance clause as a real instrument of defense, not simply a political declaration.
His remarks came amid renewed debate over Europe’s strategic autonomy and broader uncertainty about the reliability of the transatlantic security framework. Macron said the EU’s mutual defense clause is clear and meaningful, while also stressing that stronger European defense efforts are meant to reinforce NATO’s European pillar rather than replace the alliance altogether.
As an example, Macron referred to the recent response following a drone strike on the British air base at Akrotiri in Cyprus. Reuters reported that Britain, France and Greece sent air-defense assets to Cyprus after the attack, while AP noted that Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis cited that coordinated response as proof that Europe can mobilize and act collectively in a security crisis.
The comments from Athens reinforce Macron’s long-running push for a more self-reliant European security structure. In recent days, EU officials have also been working on ways to make the mutual assistance clause more operational, reflecting concern that Europe may need to take on greater responsibility for its own defense in an increasingly unstable geopolitical environment.
Rather than presenting Europe’s military role as separate from NATO, Macron framed it as a necessary strengthening of Europe’s own capacity to act. His message was that Europe should be prepared to protect its interests and territory with greater confidence, even as it continues to coordinate with long-standing allies.
