Dear colleagues
February 24, 2022 represented a turning point in European history. Since the outbreak of war in our part of the world, we have made a series of unprecedented decisions to support Ukraine while strengthening European sovereignty. Now, 21 months later, we are once again faced with the need to make bold decisions. It requires our collective strength and determination and the courage to make the right choices.
We must fulfill our obligations to Ukraine and continue to be a reliable and strong partner. We must provide Ukraine with continuous and sustainable political, financial and military support and, above all, reach an agreement on the allocation of 50 billion euros to ensure Ukraine’s long-term stability. We must also decide to start accession negotiations with Ukraine, thus giving the necessary signal to the country and bringing it even closer to our family of European countries.
We must make meaningful decisions for other members who want to join, as we work to future-proof our union and ensure it is ready to welcome new members.
With new challenges come new responsibilities. The review of the multiannual financial framework has progressed intensively and steadily. I have taken note of all your concerns and priorities and have presented a proposal that attempts to reconcile the different points of view. As with any compromise solution, I urge you to be willing to compromise for the sake of unity. Achieving consensus will require decisive joint efforts and strong political commitment from all of you.
In the security and defense sector, we will continue to pursue the goal of building a stronger geopolitical alliance, providing guidance on key areas of work and building on the Versailles Declaration and the Strategic Compass. More needs to be done to rapidly achieve the objective of increasing the Union’s defense readiness. We must also work towards a single defense market, which is key to strengthening our union in this sector.
Developments in the Middle East also occupy an important place on our agenda. We must demand the release of all hostages and vigorously address the alarming humanitarian situation in Gaza. We must firmly support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself from Hamas and unequivocally uphold international law and international humanitarian law. Our broader discussion includes work towards security and stability in the region and the prospects for lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
We should also address all forms of hatred, anti-Semitism, intolerance, racism and xenophobia, including anti-Muslim hatred.
We are facing an extremely important meeting of the European Council. Now is the time to make decisions. I call on all of you to show a spirit of compromise and a sense of collective responsibility, keeping in mind the interests and values of the EU.
I look forward to meeting you in Brussels.
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2023-12-13 11:16:07
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