“Europe and Russia today showed two different faces on May 9,” French President Emmanuel Macron told the European Parliament at a Europe Day event marking Victory Day against Nazi Germany.
Mr Macron later traveled to Berlin to meet with German Chancellor Olaf Solz at his first international meeting since his re-election.
Today Europe and Russia showed “two very different faces on May 9,” the French president said in response to a press conference about the military parade in Moscow.
He went on to say: “On the one hand there is the display of a show of strength, intimidation, and a warlike speech“, while here there is a union of citizens who have a plan of stability, to think about their future and move forward with the differences they have and with the different languages ​​they speak.”
Macron added that peace would not be built on “humiliation of Russia”.
Earlier, in a speech to the European Parliament, Macron spoke of the war in Ukraine and Europe’s stance: , continuing to speak the language of justice “.
He lamented the “unspeakable crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.” However, he stressed that “we are not at war with Russia.”
“Ukraine’s accession will take a long time”
Referring specifically to Ukraine’s request to join the EU, he said that the Ukrainians are our brothers, but acknowledged that the road to membership is long: “Ukraine, with its struggle and courage, is already a heartfelt member of Europe today. us, our family, our union.
But even if we were to grant her candidate status tomorrow, we all know very well that the process would take several years, in fact probably several decades, unless we decide to reduce our EU membership requirements and therefore , to completely rethink the unity of our Europe, and sometimes the principles we demand of our members. And we all want it. “
In this context, Macron proposed the creation of a “European political community”, which would allow the democratic nations of Europe to find a new framework for political cooperation and security.
“In the face of the new geopolitical context, we must clearly find a way to think about Europe, its unity, its stability,” Macron said.
“The question remains, how do we organize Europe? It is our historic duty to respond today. And the answer is to create what I would call a European political community. “This new European organization will allow European democracies to find a new framework for political cooperation, security, energy cooperation, investment in infrastructure, the movement of people and, in particular, young people,” he said.
In favor of the revision of the European Treaties
In addition, the French president said he was in favor of a revision of the Treaties and hoped to convene an “assembly” in June to take up the task.
“It is a proposal of the European Parliament and I approve it,” he said to the applause of MEPs.
According to Mr. Macron, this contract “must have a clear goal from the beginning”.
“One has to start an assembly knowing where it comes from. “I know from experience that when you start such ambitious initiatives, if you do not have a clear idea from the beginning, you will seldom find yourself having one at the end,” he said ironically, implying the climate contract he had launched during his first term. .
“Crisis must not distract from our agenda,” he said, noting that the Union’s “agenda” includes in particular climate protection, health and the quality of our food, a fairer, inclusive Europe, a A Europe of equality between women and men, a Europe equipped with the means to defend itself, a Europe of solidarity, to defend our values ​​and the rule of law.
Macron: In favor of the principle of differentiation between Member States
The President of the French Republic has called for “ongoing democratic innovation” in Europe, in particular as regards “our electoral rules, our rules for the appointment of our representatives, our control rules, our initiative rights in the European Parliament”.
“We must not be afraid of pioneers, because they have always been fruitful for the European project,” he added.
He says he does not promote a “multi-speed Europe”, but defends the principle of “differentiation, open to all, faithful to our history and to the aspirations of the founders of Europe”.
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