Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk has urged Europe to increase its defence spending.
This came as he delivered a wide-ranging speech on the future of the EU at the European Parliament.
Poland took over the EU’s rotating presidency on January 1, 2025.
He noted that some people think it’s extravagant or wrong to warn that Europe should spend up to 5% of GDP on our security but, he asserted that this is a time when Europe cannot afford to save on security.
“We spend 5% not on our own security, but also on the security of the whole of Europe. … If Europe is to survive, it needs to be armed.
“It is not our choice. I’m not a militarist. No one in Poland would like to see another war. We have suffered greatly, most in Europe, and perhaps that is why we understand it so well: in order to avoid repeating history, we need to be armed.”
Donald Tusk
Also, Tusk stated that Europe is dealing with an active conflict on its borders, adding that the bloc has to deal with technological progress. He said, “It is true that what is happening around us … is a whole new set of challenges for Europe but Europe was created exactly to face such challenges.”
Additionally, Tusk insisted that Europe has no reason to feel inferior to or afraid of changes in the US administration.
Nonetheless, he averred, “Now the party is over. The time of comfort is over.”
Responding to US President Donald Trump’s comments on what he sees as Europe’s inadequate financial contribution to shared security, Tusk said, “Do not ask what America can do for Europe and its security; ask what ourselves we can do for our security.”
“The new President of the US says that Europe needs to share our take of responsibility for our security. Only an ally can wish another ally to get stronger. It is not what an opponent of Europe would say.”
Donald Tusk
Tusk Calls For Review Of EU’s Green Deal Policies
Moreover, Tusk urged Europe to revisit some of its green energy policies and think about a deregulatory push to help European companies compete with US and Chinese rivals.
“Let us be courageous and stay away from routines. … [We] should not just read the Draghi report and other words of warning but actually roll our sleeves and start working. We need to change the status quo … propose to Europe a big campaign of deregulation.
“It’s unacceptable that our European energy is the most expensive [in the world]. If it cannot be the cheapest one, at least it should be more or less on the same level as in other countries. … We all want to compete against the US or China, but our energy prices are three times as high.”
Donald Tusk
He asserted that the bloc is well aware of the potentially disastrous consequences that would follow if it do not act [on climate], but it cannot afford not to be competitive. “If we do go bankrupt as Europe, who will protect the environment instead of us?” he said.
“So, let us put our thinking caps on and conduct a thorough review of all legal acts, including those under the Green Deal. We should identify problems and have the courage to change those rules that might result in excessively high, prohibitively high energy prices.”
Donald Tusk
He said that politicians ignoring calls to review these policies do it at their peril, as “too high energy prices may bring down many democratic governments.” He concluded saying, “It’s all up to us. The future is in our hands, not in the hands of the Chinese or the American people.”
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