Budapest: Europe must not delegate its security to Americans forever, the French president said on Thursday. Emmanuel Macron addressed the European leaders at the fifth European Political Community (EPC) summit in Budapest, Hungary’s capital, on Thursday, stressing NATO’s ‘key role’ in Europe’s security.
According to Anadolu Agency, Macron emphasized Europe’s need to play an active role within NATO, highlighting a strategic awakening among European nations. “We must not delegate our security to Americans forever,” he asserted, urging Europe to position itself as a “supplier of security solutions.” He encouraged more countries to join the European Intervention Initiative, founded in 2018, to develop common solutions across the continent.
Macron also touched upon the potential impact of former US President Donald Trump’s recent electoral victory and his upcoming term. He refrained from commenting on Trump’s return, stating, “He was elected by the American people, and he will defend the Americans’ interests, a
nd this is legitimate and a good thing.” Macron posed a crucial question to European leaders: “The question is, are we ready to defend Europeans’ interests?”
With Trump’s victory on Tuesday and his impending succession of current President Joe Biden, European leaders have been prompted to consider a more autonomous security strategy. Trump’s known criticisms of NATO and rumors of a possible US withdrawal have underscored the need for Europe to bolster its own defense capabilities.
Macron advocated for a balanced approach in dealing with global powers like China and the US, warning against both naive transatlantic union and extreme nationalism. He described this period as a “decisive moment in history for us Europeans” and called for increased energy integration, particularly in electricity, along with advancements in artificial intelligence and clean technologies.
Highlighting the need for Europe to accelerate its progress, Macron criticized the continent’s current image as a “supermarket open to all,” war
ning against external powers with opposing agendas. He expressed regret over Europe’s tendency to rely on the US for geopolitical strategies and on Chinese clients for its growth model.