The German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with MEPs in the series ‘This is Europe.’ He called for a united Europe that is capable of change to secure its position in the world of the future.

Scholz stressed the fact that Europe has global responsibility outside its borders, “because the well being of everyone is at stake”. Europe He said that the well-being and progress of the rest of humanity cannot be separated. The world in the 21st century “will be multipolar – it is already”. Scholz outlined three lessons that the EU should learn: “First, Europe’s future is in your hands. Second, the more united Europe becomes, the easier it is to secure a bright future for us. Thirdly, we need more openness and cooperation.

The Chancellor said that the EU must adapt to secure Europe’s position in the world of the future. “We need an EU that is geopolitical, a reformed and enlarged EU, and one that is open to the future.”

He said that the EU should now set the course of reconstruction for Ukraine in light of Russia’s war on Ukraine. A prosperous, democratic and European Ukraine is a clear rejection of Putin’s illegal, imperial and revisionist policy.

Olaf Scholz said that in a multipolar environment, the countries of South Asia are important partners. Olaf Scholz continued, “In a multipolar world, the countries of the global south are important partners.”

In relation to enlargement the Chancellor said: “An honest enlargement policies implements its promise – first and foremost, to the states of Western Balkans”. He also announced that he would push to extend qualified majority decision making to more decisions dealing foreign policy and taxes.

He said that when it comes to migration and asylum, “we’re united by our goal of better managing and controlling irregular migration without betraying or compromising our values.” Many parts of Europe need workers from third countries, he continued. If Europe links regular migration along with the demand for countries of origin and transport to also take back those people who have no legal right to remain in Europe, then “all sides will benefit.”

Reactions of MEPs

MEPs, in response to Mr Scholz’s EU reform proposals demanded courage from Europe’s leaders to lead the EU into the next century and called on Scholz to push a Convention for the 2024 European Elections. Several MEPs called for the continuation of support for Ukraine until a just and peaceful peace is achieved. Others criticized Germany for its tardy support of Ukraine, while others criticized the EU for giving more money to the weapons industry.

Several MEPs emphasized the importance of combating the economic impact of the Russian war on European citizens. Some called for new legislation in order to ensure social justice, while others called for a reform to the EU electricity market that would guarantee fair prices. Some speakers emphasized the importance of Europe’s green and digital transformation and asked for more investment in these fields so that Europe can be a leader on technological breakthroughs.

Background

This is the tenth plenary “This is Europe”, following Luxembourg’s Prime minister Xavier Bettel On 19 April 2023 Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda On 14 March 2023 and debates in 2020 with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, Micheal Martin, Ireland’s Taoiseach, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin You can also find out more about the following: Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob.

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