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What is article 42.7 of the Lisbon Treaty?

For the first time in history, France has invoked Article 42.7 of the Lisbon Treaty to demand that all EU member nations support and join them in fighting ISIS in the wake of last Friday’s deadly Islamic terror attack in Paris.

Article 42.7 is the solidarity clause that states that if a member of the European Union is the victim of “armed aggression on its territory” other states have an “obligation of aid and assistance by all the means in their power.”

This article was first invoked at the request of the French government following multiple terrorist attacks on Paris. EU countries voted unanimously in favor.

The Lisbon Treaty also includes a “solidarity clause,” Article 222 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). This article mentions the European Union specifically whereas Article 42.7 just mentions member states. By choosing to invoke Article 42.7, France has chosen a more inter-governmental approach.

Article 42.7 is similar to NATO’s Article 5, which states that an attack against any member of NATO is considered to be an attack on all members. This was first invoked after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.