France and Poland on Friday signed a new cooperation and friendship treaty with a defence clause committing the parties to mutual support in case of an attack by an aggressor, as the two Nato and EU allies strengthen ties following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Advertisement
The treaty, similar to those already signed by France with Germany, Italy and Spain, was signed in the eastern French city of Nancy by French President Emmanuel Macron and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
Macron emphasised that one of the key aspects of the treaty was a clause on “mutual defence” while insisting this was in addition to the protections already offered by Nato and the EU.
01:02
J.D. Vance says ‘threat vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China’
J.D. Vance says ‘threat vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China’
“It does not substitute for Nato or EU,” Macron said alongside Tusk, adding it: “reinforces what already exists today”.
Tusk earlier hailed the “mutual security guarantees” saying the clause tackles what happens “in the case of an attack against one of our countries”.
The text of the treaty, seen by AFP, states: “In the event of armed aggression on their territories, the parties shall provide mutual assistance, including by military means.”
Advertisement