The French Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, has strongly advocated for a strong Europe in the face of the United States, China, or Russia.
“It’s good news for Europe, very bad news for Vladimir Putin, who, in his vain aggression war against Ukraine, is losing his main Trojan horse within the European Union,” Barrot said.
When asked about Peter Magyar’s recent victory over Viktor Orbán in Hungary, Barrot also expressed joy at “the decline of populist or far-right political forces in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Italy, before Hungary. This shows that Europeans are fully aware that their ability to resist the pressure of new empires does not lie in nationalist isolation but in a more sovereign, stronger Europe.”
Barrot emphasized the need for Europe to “chart a third way in which the vast majority of countries in the world that want to remain free will move forward.”
He also stressed the importance of Europe not being a passive spectator but an engaged actor in facing China in commercial matters. Barrot reminded that in the past ten years, they have worked towards greater sovereignty, achieving initial results in protecting industries threatened by unfair competition by promoting European preference in public markets.
According to Barrot, it is crucial to invest in technologies that will become part of our daily lives to avoid becoming a digital colony of the United States or China.
Regarding the warming relations with Great Britain, Barrot assured that British authorities will be welcomed with open arms if they wish to enter the single market with its rights and obligations.
Barrot pointed out that more than ten countries want to join the European Union, a feat unmatched by any other political organization worldwide. He stressed the importance of France leading the way for Europe to rise and highlighted the significance of the upcoming election next year.
