The EU is preparing a new security protocol

The European Union is developing a new security protocol that could be modeled on Article 4 of the North Atlantic Treaty.

The Financial Times reports this, citing European diplomats.

Article 4 of NATO provides for consultations among the alliance's member states if one of them believes that its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is under threat. At the same time, unlike Article 5, it does not imply the automatic use of military force.

According to the FT, not all EU countries support the idea of a new mechanism. Some European diplomats said they see no need for a separate protocol and fear that it could duplicate existing NATO mechanisms or compete with them.

Article 4 of NATO has been invoked nine times over the entire history of the alliance, including twice last year.

The proposal to develop the EU's own response mechanism modeled on Article 4 was previously put forward by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. According to her, the European Union needs to agree on a course of action in the event of incidents that do not reach the level of armed aggression but pose a threat to national security.

As the FT reports, the question of a new EU set of rules is scheduled to be discussed on September 28.