Borrell rejects claims rules-based order has 'expired,' defends international law

2026-03-11 - 10:42

Former EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell mounted a vigorous defense of the international rules-based order Wednesday, rejecting assertions that the system has become obsolete. In a post on the social media platform X, Borrell emphasized that "International Law, which includes the prohibition to use force to settle international disputes, is an integral, binding part of the EU Treaties," adding firmly that "Its 'expiration' cannot be decreed by anyone in a speech." Von der Leyen's warning sparks debate Borrell's intervention came in response to remarks by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who told the annual conference of EU ambassadors in Brussels that Europe can no longer act as a "custodian for the old world order." While affirming that "We will always defend and uphold the rules-based system that we helped to build with our allies," von der Leyen cautioned that Europe could "no longer rely on it" as the sole means of protecting its interests amid the "complex threats" it faces. The Commission president warned that the traditional world order is rapidly eroding amid repeated violations of international law. EU faces internal debate on global Borrell's statement urging each EU institution to work "in accordance to its respective competence" highlights an internal European debate about how to respond to what many see as the crumbling of