The German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, defended this Tuesday before the European Parliament (EP) an “enlarged and reformed” European Union (EU), open to the future” and that guarantees peace, in a speech within the framework of Europe Day.
“We need a geopolitical EU, an enlarged and reformed EU and a forward-looking EU,” Scholz told MEPs gathered in Strasbourg, France, advocating opening up to Ukraine and Georgia, as well as the Western Balkans, to “ensure lasting peace in Europe”.
The German chancellor also defended that the decisions taken by the Member States in the Council of the EU are taken more and more “by majority and not by unanimity”, in defense of liberal democracy.
The German leader also warned, in his speech, of the increase “in rivalry and competition from China”, adding that the southern countries should be Europe’s new trading partners.
Responding to Vladimir Putin’s “show of force”, Olaf Scholz stressed that the EU is not intimidated by the “parade of troops, tanks and missiles” and must stand firm “as long as it takes” in its support for Ukraine. , invaded by Russia on February 24, 2022.
“The message of May 9 is that the past will not trump the future, our future is the EU,” he said.
Europe Day, which is celebrated today, marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration, delivered in Paris in 1950 by the then French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman, outlining his vision for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, that gave birth to the EU.
Source: TSF
