Metsola: “Our ambition must match the unprecedented threat”

Brussels – “There is too much at stake and we cannot wait any longer.” So Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, warned EU heads of state and government in her traditional speech before the European Council’s start.

On Ukraine, Metsola stressed that “peace must be real, it must not simply lull everyone into a false sense of security, allowing an aggressor to continue trying to conquer sovereign nations. Peace must ensure freedom for Ukraine, security for Europe and a deterrent for those who think they can conquer it by force.”

Regarding defence, the parliamentary chairwoman called on the EU to invest more in this area: “Our ambition must match the unprecedented threat, the boldness of our proposals, and the speed with which they are being implemented.” Metsola said she felt encouraged to see many good proposals on the table. “Extraordinary times call for immediate measures,” she commented, “so I welcome all creative and flexible solutions to increase and accelerate our defense investments substantially.

She reassured leaders that the European Parliament can adapt to challenging circumstances by acting quickly, efficiently, and effectively: “Working through the European Parliament, especially on decisions of this magnitude, is a way to promote confidence in our Union. Yes, we must act quickly, but acting together is the only way to ensure broad and deep public support.”

She called on leaders to “align our EU budget with our priorities. We have a real opportunity to finance the strategic autonomy we need,” she said, speaking about the next Multiannual Financial Framework.