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20.02.2026 14:06
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Yes, the question is from where in the respective national capital the power the Permanent Representatives receive their instructions. And leaders also distrust each other, so they like to keep some decisions away from Council and #EUCO, to push items through by QMV in Coreper with written procedure
The most prominent recent example is freezing the Russian Central Bank assets with Article 122 TFEU (sieps.se/media/ndzouh...), also decided by Coreper – "in the EU's diplomatic bunker" as @gabrielgavin.bsky.social wrote in today’s Brussels Playbook: www.politico.eu/newsletter/b...
Finally some media reporting about the rise of the rise of #COREPER. I have long argued that this (in particular the increased used of the "written procedure") is a very significant development that has intensified since the pandemic (sieps.se/media/mnah1q...).
Sweden’s 2026 Foreign Policy Declaration (English version) www.government.se/speeches/202...
My key quotes and takeaways from the #MSC2026 speeches by four European leaders 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 (Merz, Macron, von der Leyen, Starmer) across four major themes (🏰 ⚔️ 🪖 💶):
➡️ #Starmer announced that “we are prepared to explore innovative solutions. So we are stepping up work with like-minded allies on options for a collective approach to defence financing, to help accelerate this vital investment.”
It’s a wonderful innovation.”
➡️ According to
#vonderLeyen, “[w]ith our SAFE programme, we are investing in the capabilities we need. […] We have remained relentless and creative in the way we maintain our support for Ukraine. This includes most recently with our EUR 90 billion loan […].”
4. Defence financing 💶
➡️ #Merz did not mention defence financing
➡️ #Macron stressed that “we have adopted new EU financing instruments such as EDIP and SAFE. And don’t underestimate the strength of this instrument. We […] have common borrowing programs on defence. It’s a very good thing […].
These examples tell us that this can work. But what we need to do now, is formalise the ad hoc beginnings of new security collaborations.”
➡️ #Starmer said that “we have shown that we can coordinate in great effect, as was just set out. […] Creating the Coalition of the Willing”
➡️ #Macron said that “[t]he big change during this year is the Coalition of the Willing.”
➡️ #vonderLeyen argued that “we have to be creative. Take the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force […]. Or take the Coalition of the Willing […].
3. New security formats 🪖
➡️ According to #Merz, “[w]here we need to be agile, we move forward in small groups – with the E3, i.e. Germany, France and the United Kingdom, but also with Italy and Poland as European playmakers.”
“time has come to bring Europe’s mutual defence clause to life. Mutual defence is not optional for the EU. It is an obligation […].”
➡️ #Starmer announced that “our commitment to Article 5 is as profound now as ever. And be in no doubt, if called on, the UK would come to your aid today.”
2. Mutual defence ⚔️
➡️ #Merz on Article 42 TEU: “We must now spell out how we intend to organise this at European level”; the EU mutual assistance obligation is “not a substitute for NATO”
➡️ It was not mentioned by #Macron
➡️ #vonderLeyen said that
➡️ For #vonderLeyen a “strong Europe makes for a stronger transatlantic alliance”.
➡️ #Starmer wants to “build a stronger Europe and a more European NATO, underpinned by deeper links between the UK and the EU” and “more burden-sharing in Europe.”
➡️ #Macron said “Europe will be a good ally and partner for the United States of America. Because it will be a partner taking its fair share of the burden.”
1. Role of NATO, a European pillar within NATO? 🏰
➡️ For #Merz, NATO remains essential and a “competition advantage” for Europe and the US. He sees European mutual assistance as a “self-sustaining, strong European pillar” within NATO.
My key quotes and takeaways from the #MSC2026 speeches by four European leaders 🇩🇪 🇫🇷 🇪🇺 🇬🇧 (Merz, Macron, von der Leyen, Starmer) across four major themes (🏰 ⚔️ 🪖 💶):
This diagram is like a comforting blanket. Brought to you by @vkreilinger.bsky.social. From our @sieps.bsky.social publication "EU foreign policy via Enhanced Cooperation sieps.se/en/publicati...
www.linkedin.com/posts/vkreil...
Ursula von der Leyen endorses enhanced cooperation before the EU leaders' retreat on Thursday: "we should not shy away from using the possibilities foreseen in the treaties on enhanced cooperation" www.euractiv.com/news/von-der... Link to the paper with my infographic: sieps.se/en/publicati... #EUCO
The EU24 loan to Ukraine: EU Foreign Policy via Enhanced Cooperation, jointly written with Christian Maurice Bissinger and @lewander.bsky.social for @sieps.bsky.social, with an updated visualisation of Enhanced Cooperation in one figure sieps.se/en/publicati...
On 18 December 2025, EU24 leaders agreed on a €90 bn loan to Ukraine. This new European Policy Analysis addresses central aspects of the European Council decision, particularly regarding the immobilised Russian assets, the enhanced cooperation, and the EU as a foreign and security policy actor.
The EU24 loan to Ukraine: EU Foreign Policy via Enhanced Cooperation, jointly written with Christian Maurice Bissinger and @lewander.bsky.social for @sieps.bsky.social, with an updated visualisation of Enhanced Cooperation in one figure sieps.se/en/publicati...
Nytt avsnitt av Sieps podcast!
Efter en turbulent vecka i Europapolitiken gästar Björn Fägersten och @gvonsydow.bsky.social podden för att analysera läget. Hur djup är klyftan mellan EU och USA, och hur ska Europa agera i den nya världsordning som växer fram?
sieps.se/podcast/siep...
🚨 TODAY in #ECPRSeminars on the EU @ecprsgeu.bsky.social
Our speakers explore how negotiation dynamics differ across high-stakes policy areas, focusing on environment and justice
🎙️Selma Bendjaballah and @vkreilinger.bsky.social
💻 19 Jan, 15:00–16:30 GMT buff.ly/JXZvgpn
#EuropeanUnion
Looking forward to discussing "Negotiating in times of polycrisis. Evidence from the EU" at the first edition of the @ecprsgeu.bsky.social Online Seminar Series in 2026 with Selma Bendjaballah of @cdsp-sciencespo.bsky.social on Monday, 16:00-17:30 CET: ecpr.eu/Events/348
🛎️ Next in #ECPRSeminars on the EU @ecprsgeu.bsky.social
Our speakers explore how negotiation dynamics differ across high-stakes policy areas, focusing on environment and justice
🎙️Selma Bendjaballah and @vkreilinger.bsky.social
💻 19 Jan, 15:00–16:30 GMT
#EuropeanUnion
Enhanced cooperation under Article 20 TEU is a smart move. Here is how it works 👇
Interesting insights on the institutional implications of the EU decision last night
