Zīle: Idea of a European security council without the US is absurd

Following European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's speech to the European Parliament, attention has turned to Canada's possible closer ties with the European Union and to an idea for a new European security structure. European Parliament Vice-President Roberts Zīle (National Alliance) discussed both topics on TV24's program "Nedēļa. Post Scriptum."

Canada's role and unclear status

Zīle noted that Canadian forces play the leading role at the NATO base responsible for the region's defense, making Canada's role in European security significant. At the same time, he stressed that the content of the associate EU membership status mentioned by von der Leyen remains unclear — it is not known whether it would resemble the European Economic Area model used for Norway and Liechtenstein, or something else entirely. He added that legal experts in policy circles argue such a formal status does not really exist.

According to Zīle, Canada's interest in closer cooperation with the EU stems from strained relations with the Trump administration, prompting Canada to seek a geopolitical alternative. However, he said geography will remain a decisive long-term factor — Canada's economic ties with the US will remain stronger than with Europe. Zīle expressed hope that the current conflict between the US and Canada would not escalate dramatically.

Criticism of the new security structure

Zīle was sharper in his assessment of the idea to use NATO's Article 4 to create a European security council comprising all NATO member states, including Canada and the United Kingdom, but excluding the United States. He called the proposal "something new and unimaginable," arguing it is absurd to build such a complex structure at a time when Russia is highly aggressive. Zīle also questioned the true purpose of such an initiative, asking whether it would push the West further away from the US — something he said is not in Europe's interest.