With a strong sense of urgency for decisions that will lead to the overcoming of the impasses that the international order has been led to in the era, but also of its war and the collapse of balances in transatlantic relations, but also more broadly, this year’s (MSC), which also has the slogan “Under Dissolution”, began.
One after the other the speakers, . The discussions could also be seen as a continuation of yesterday’s informal Summit in Alden Bizen, Belgium, as both the sense of taking urgent action and implementing changes to overcome the impasses on a number of issues concerning Europe and the international order were decisive for it as well.
Isinger and Mertz set the tone
The tone for the first day was set both by the organizer Wolfgang Isinger, and by the Chancellor of Germany Friedrich Merz who was honorably the first leader to speak at the Conference. Isinger (former deputy foreign minister in Joska Fischer’s government) opened the debate wearing Emmanuel Macron-style sunglasses and who underlined that “never before have there been so many simultaneous, deep challenges and bloody wars in Europe and the world”.
According to Isinger, all parties (Europe, USA, China, UN) should do their part in order to find solutions to issues that currently seem unsolvable and threaten stability.
Mertz: “Europe has returned from its vacation from History”
The baton was taken by the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, whose speech actually had a slightly different weight than Isinger’s. Mertz, after calling the world order flawed and pointing out that Europe has just returned from its “holiday” in world history, argued that we can no longer take freedom for granted. According to him, Europe should become independent from the USA and turn into a power that can also play the power game.
As he emphasized, his goal is to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional military force in Europe, but also to strengthen Europe’s common response to threats because, as he emphasized, “if Europe falls apart, we fall apart too.” At the same time, he spoke about strengthening resilient supply chains, better protecting the free democratic order and seeking new trade and political partners at the global level.
Macron: “Europe is already strong and can become stronger”
French President Emmanuel Macron described his speech earlier this evening at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) as a “message of hope and determination” from Europe. “We must be proud of our achievements”, he emphasized and, with an eye on US policy on Greenland, spoke of “polite refusal” when “illegal claims” are made on European territory.
In a speech which could also be interpreted as a response to last year’s appearance by the American vice president J.D. Vance from the same stage and in the insults he unleashed on Europe, Emmanuel Macron tonight defended Europe and its achievements, while stressing the need to further strengthen it. Europe “should rather be considered an example and not criticized or ridiculed”, he stressed.
“Europe has drifted away as an aging, slow and fragmented construct, relegated to history. As an over-regulated and apathetic economy that turns away from innovation. As a society plagued by barbaric immigrations which corrupt its precious traditions. And, even more paradoxically, in some circles, as an oppressive continent where speech is not free and where alternative facts cannot claim the same right of public discourse as the truth itself – this outdated and unwieldy concept,” the French president characteristically said, in an indirect reference to last year’s statements by J.D. Vance, among other things about Europe being destroyed by immigrants and suppressing free speech.
“Europe is already strong and can become stronger (…) Where others see a threat, I see our determination. Where they see doubts, I see opportunities,” Mr. Macron emphasized and referred to the free movement of goods and people, but also to the high life expectancy of Europe’s residents, health and equality.
As Europe’s first priority, the French president highlighted the support of Ukraine and referred to the “success” of the partners in responding to the needs created by the Russian invasion, while emphasizing that the response to Russia’s attacks against civilians and energy infrastructure in Ukraine cannot be to give in to the Kremlin’s demands. “Instead, pressure on Russia must be increased,” he said, adding that after the attack on Ukraine, Russia is “weakened, completely dependent on China, and this constitutes a military and economic defeat for it.”
Clarifying his position on the prospect of peace and in a new indirect reference to the US, Emmanuel Macron dismissed the possibility of “peace without the Europeans”. “We will be part of the solution, so we must also be part of the talks,” he stated emphatically, to continue: “We must show the world that we are defending our interests. This of course starts with supporting Ukraine, but it also means polite refusal when illegal claims are made on European territory (…) We have done it recently and we will continue to do it (…) Europe must develop into a geopolitical power. This was not in our DNA until now. But only then can negotiations be conducted from a position of strength.”
The French president also noted the need for Europe to be further strengthened in all areas. “This Europe will also be a good partner, a partner for the US as well. A partner who contributes his share and is worthy of respect. And they must respect us. We have done a lot and we will do even more”, he underlined.
Meetings on the sidelines of the Conference
In addition to the “heavy” statements in the panels and discussions, the first day included numerous high-level diplomatic contacts. Leaders and officials such as Macron, Starmer, Costa, Zelensky, Mertz, Tusk, Frederiksen, Stubb, von der Leyen and others participated in a meeting on Ukraine, with the discussion being about better coordination of support to Ukraine and long-term security guarantees. Additionally on the sidelines of the MSC, Zelensky met with Reza Pahlavi, with the main topic being the situation in Iran and the strengthening of sanctions against the regime, while Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sibykha met with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on China’s involvement in the resolution of the war. Additionally, there was a tripartite meeting between Rubio, Frederiksen and Nielsen regarding Greenland which was described as constructive.
The American presence
A special sensation was caused by the presence of American Congresswoman Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, who participated in a panel on populism and changes in US foreign policy. Ocasio-Cortez stressed that hypocrisy is a weakness in the rules-based order and called for a return to politics with integrity and values, denouncing the influence of billionaires and corporate interests.
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, also intervened, who during his participation in a panel on the climate crisis highlighted the effects of fires, floods and extreme events and strongly criticized Donald Trump. The American presence at the Conference is expected to be more intense tomorrow with the speech of Marco Rubio.
