Europe is at 'turning point' says Charles Michel as tenure comes to an end
As European Council president Charles Michel nears the end of his term, he urges Europe not to "become the world's oldest museum" and instead "to remain the master of its own destiny".
Europe is at "a turning point", he said while reflecting on his tenure. He believes Europe has made significant progress toward the goal he set out for an autonomous Europe, especially due to the crises that have marked the past five years.
"We have made more progress in the past five years than in the last 30," he said in an interview with The European Newsroom.
He highlighted key achievements, such as the European response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the recovery plan that followed. Additionally, the rapid support for Ukraine after Russia's invasion is seen as one of the defining moments of his presidency.
An autonomous Europe
Michel is concerned, however, that Europe’s security is often tied to US politics. He insists that Europe should not anxiously await the outcome of American elections to determine its future.
"I want [Europeans] to retain control over their destiny because in Europe we decide our own future. I do not want my children or grandchildren to be dependent on who will be the next president of the United States or China or Russia," he said.
He expressed scepticism that a shift in US leadership, whether it be Donald Trump or Kamala Harris, would significantly alter transatlantic relations in the long run.
He also stressed the need for Europe to strengthen its competitiveness against global players like the US and China. At his final summit in two weeks, he hopes to galvanise EU leaders around an ambitious agenda focused on innovation, research and development, investment and cutting bureaucracy.
"We will lose our credibility and impact... if we say what the Kremlin is doing in Ukraine is unacceptable but ignore other violations elsewhere"
One of Michel’s biggest disappointments has been Europe’s limited influence on the war in the Middle East. Despite being Israel’s largest economic partner and the Palestinians' largest development partner, the EU has not leveraged its full potential and should be more ambitious, he said, noting growing pressure from EU leaders to address the EU-Israel association agreement.
He also warned that Europe must guard against "double standards" and uphold international law in the Middle East. "We will lose our credibility and impact... if we say what the Kremlin is doing in Ukraine is unacceptable but ignore other violations elsewhere."
Former Portuguese prime minister Antonio Costa will take over in December.
European Council president Charles Michel © PHOTO JOHN THYS / AFP
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