This Decision lays down the EU Integrated Political Crisis Response (‘IPCR’) arrangements. The IPCR enable timely coordination and response at Union political level for crises, whether they originate inside or outside the Union, which have a wide-ranging impact or political significance.

The IPCR shall provide the Council with the necessary tools and flexibility to decide on the handling of the response of the Union, including through rapid consultations and possible proposals for action. The political control and strategic direction for all stages of the IPCR process shall be under the leadership of the Presidency of the Council, taking full account of the competences of the Commission and the HR.

The IPCR shall be a single set of arrangements to respond at Union political level in a coherent, efficient and timely way to crises. The IPCR shall be used by the Council to carry out coordination at political level to the invocation of the solidarity clause as set out in Article 1(2) of Council Decision 2014/415/EU pursuant to Article 222(3) TFEU.

These arrangements shall not replace or duplicate existing Union mechanisms or arrangements.