The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security, Josep Borrell, today called for strengthening Europe’s unity and security, warning that those who are not at the geopolitical table “will be on the menu.”
“The fact that the U.S. has chosen a president who will have concrete ideas for the most important global scenarios, in Ukraine, the Middle East, and relations with China, requires Europeans to clearly understand their mission. The most important mission is to build Europe as a force, as a sovereign entity capable of acting, without leaving our security to anyone else, because no one else will care about our security,” Borrell stated.
He added that the EU needs to safeguard its independence, economic security, and relations with China.
“For all of this, one word is crucial: unity, to build a stronger Europe,” Borrell emphasized.
At the same time, he announced plans to visit Ukraine in the coming days to discuss with Ukrainian authorities how the EU can continue its support for the country. He also stated that while the EU wishes to remain a strong partner of the U.S., it needs to build its own capacities.
“Whatever happens in the U.S., we have our own interests, our own values,” Borrell told reporters ahead of the second day of the informal EU summit in Budapest.
He stressed that the only recipe for Europe’s survival is to be more united and build a stronger, more sovereign Europe, capable of facing global challenges without relying on anyone else for its security.
“We must ensure our own security, certainly with NATO, but by building more capabilities. It is clear that Europeans must build their own security,” Borrell stated.
He added that this security requires more investment in defense but also in technology to ensure the EU’s independence and sovereignty.
“If you’re not at the geopolitical table, you’ll be on the menu. The same can be said for Ukraine. Ukraine must be at the table, not on the menu,” he said, further stressing that the EU must continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
“The recipe for the future of the EU is unity. I want to insist on this so that they can face all challenges,” Borrell concluded.
