Cyprus Drone Attacks Prompt EU Mutual Assistance Clause Discussion

The recent war, stemming from US and Israeli strikes on Iran, brought the conflict closer to Cyprus, an EU member state. An Iranian-made drone, believed to be launched from Lebanon, struck a UK airbase on Cyprus, with several other drones shot down. The presence of two sovereign British RAF bases on the island, established by a 1960 independence deal, made Cyprus a target for Iran and its proxy, Hizbullah, in retaliatory attacks that also targeted US-aligned Gulf states.

This incident renewed debate on the EU's mutual assistance clause, from the Lisbon Treaty, which obliges member states to aid another under armed aggression. Aid can be financial, diplomatic, technical, or military. The clause was previously invoked by France after the 2015 Paris terror attacks, leading Ireland to increase its Defence Forces personnel in an EU mission in Mali from 10 to 18 to fill gaps left by French redeployments.

While the European Commission stated Greenland, part of Denmark, would be covered by the clause following US threats, an expert, Federica Fazio, questions its legal applicability given Greenland's 1982 vote to leave the EU. Politically, however, EU states would likely aid Denmark. Cyprus ultimately did not trigger the clause, as Greece, the UK, France, Netherlands, Italy, and Spain sent naval frigates, fighter jets, and warships to help defend against further drone attacks.

Officials in Brussels are now discussing how to operationalize the mutual defense clause. Senior diplomats plan to simulate hypothetical scenarios to understand its practical application. Nikos Christodoulides, President of Cyprus, will raise the defense clause at an upcoming EU leaders' summit, emphasizing the real-world threat posed by last month's drone attacks.