STRASBOURG – “We are fully committed to enlargement as the biggest geopolitical investment for peace and security, for our people and our continent. This was also a central topic in the Western Balkans summit I chaired the day before the European Council”, said António Costa, President of the European Council, addressing the members of the European Parliament today. During the debate on the conclusions adopted by the European Council in late December, Costa stressed that the “six Western Balkans countries, Ukraine and Moldova are working hard to deliver on their commitments”.
“There is no doubt that the future of these countries is in our Union. It is time for us to deliver on our promises as they deliver on theirs”, António Costa remarked.
Recalling the other messages from the European Council held last month, he noted that the EU reaffirmed its support to Ukraine, “for as long as necessary, and whatever it takes, for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace”.
Costa added that the European Union needed to “work for a stronger transatlantic relationship, rooted in our common history and deep bonds with the United States and Canada”.
“The European Union and the United States are each other’s largest trading and investment partners. It is in the interest of both to keep fostering a stable, balanced and predictable trade relationship. We are looking forward to working closely with the new US Administration to advance a positive and fair economic cooperation and to work on our shared priorities for prosperity and security, while, naturally, protecting our own interests”, he underlined.
According to Costa, the EU should also do more in the field of defence – “to become more resilient, more efficient, more autonomous, and a more reliable security and defence actor”.
“This way, the European Union will also become a stronger transatlantic partner, including in the context of NATO”, he underlined.
Ursula von der Leyen: We will be pragmatic and seek common grounds with the new US administration
Similarly, in her address to the MEPs, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission said that “we entered a new era of harsh geopolitical competition – the world’s major economies are vying for access to raw materials, new technologies and global trade routes”.
“We must deal with this new reality. Our values do not change but to defend them something must change… If we want to protect our interests and to uphold our values, we must also be economically strong”, Ursula von der Leyen said, adding that “our Union and our Single Market do need attention and special care”.
She underlined that the EU would be pragmatic and seek common grounds with the new US administration, but that this would also imply the preservation of European values.
Donald Tusk: If Europe is to survive, it needs to be armed
During today’s plenary session, the members of the European Parliament also discussed the priorities of the programme of activities of the current Polish Presidency of the EU Council. In his address, Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister, urged the EU to boost its defence spending.
“Some people think it is extravagant or wrong to warn that we should spend up to 5% of GDP on our security. … But this is a time when Europe cannot afford to save on security. We spend 5% not on our own security, but also on the security of the whole of Europe. … If Europe is to survive, it needs to be armed”, Donald Tusk underlined.
Tusk claimed that he was not a militarist, but “in order to avoid repeating history, we need to be armed”.
Paraphrasing late US President John F. Kennedy, the Polish Prime Minister said: “Don’t ask America what it can do for our own security; ask yourselves what we can do for our own security.”
“Our future is in our hands, not of the Chinese or Americans, and we should not be afraid,” Tusk concluded.
In a debate following Tusk’s speech, a majority of MEPs supported the Polish Presidency’s call to prioritise security, including the need for increased military spending, the development of a strong defence industry, and enhanced cooperation with NATO and other non-EU countries. On the other hand, some of the speakers accused Donald Tusk of restricting the freedom of expression in Poland and criticised his government’s actions.