The chancellor repeated, to a large extent, the proposals for a “geopolitical Europe”, which he had presented in the summer of 2022 in his speech at the University of Prague.
In its international role EU wanted to focus on German chancellor during his speech about her future Europe in the Plenary of the European Parliament, in Strasbourg.
Essentially, the chancellor repeated, to a large extent, the proposals for a “geopolitical Europe”, which he had presented in the summer of 2022 in his speech at the University of Prague. A Europe that speaks with one, unified voice. Which takes decisions by majority and no longer by unanimity in foreign and tax policy, if possible in other areas as well. Which gives priority to defense cooperation, in close cooperation with NATO.
“Europe is only heard when it speaks with one voice, the war in Russia proved that,” the Social Democrat chancellor said in Strasbourg, citing among other things the historical legacy of the late Willy Brandt.
But his “geopolitical Europe”. Olaf Solz it also extends to trade policy. It accelerates, instead of delaying, the negotiations for the signing of a free trade agreement with the Latin American MERCOSUR countries, with Kenya, Indonesia or other interested parties in the Southern Hemisphere. “If we continue to negotiate for years to no avail on free trade agreements, then others will eventually dictate the rules of the game and with lower social and environmental standards,” the chancellor said in Strasbourg, apparently referring to Russia and China .
“Hard work” to compromise on finances
There was certainly no shortage of historical references to the horrors of war and Germany’s historical responsibility, but also the expression of gratitude for the project of European unification. On current institutional backlogs, the chancellor “welcomes” the fact that the European Parliament is working on proposals for future institutional reforms, but otherwise avoided referring to the ideas put forward by the Constituent Assembly months ago for the future of Europe, which even provoked strong criticism from the head of K.O. of the European People’s Party (EPP) Manfred Weber.
Criticism, both from the European Center-Right and from the Greens, was also provoked in Strasbourg by Olaf Solz’s initial “silence” on the controversial issue of the reform of the Stability Pact. However, in his rejoinder, the chancellor assured that “no member state will allowed to sink into a debt crisis”, to immediately add that “this does not mean that everything is allowed and that we should not find ways to reduce the debt”. Consequently, “the appropriate balance” is being sought and to do this “hard work is needed”, he said characteristically.
Immigration and solidarity
The German chancellor made a special reference to the efforts for a common migration policy based on the Commission’s latest proposals, calling again for concrete results until the 2024 European elections. specific actions”, he pointed out.
Today’s speech by Olaf Solz coincides with “Europe Day” on May 9, but is part of a wider series of speeches by heads of state and government with the central slogan “This is Europe”. In this context, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also spoke at the Strasbourg Plenary in July 2022.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
