FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Thursday that Europe had found "self-respect" by defending a rules-based global order and called for a stronger NATO within Europe, extending a hand of cooperation to the United States.
Speaking to the German parliament, Merz also said Europe would no longer be intimidated by tariff threats, after US President Donald Trump backed away from using such tariffs as a tool to seize Greenland from NATO member Denmark.
Merz's speech highlighted how European leaders have been encouraged to try to project European strength and values, following the standoff with Trump over Greenland, global trade disputes and nearly four years of war between Russia and Ukraine.
"For several weeks now, we have seen with increasing clarity the emergence of a world of great powers. Strong winds are blowing in this world and we will feel their effects for the foreseeable future," Merz told lawmakers.
In recent weeks, "we have been able to experience something of the joy of self-respect," he said, adding that rules-based action and rules-based trade were not dead.
"More and more countries around the world are recognizing that the current global reorganization also presents an opportunity for all actors who prefer rules to arbitrariness and who see more advantages in free and fair trade than in the unilateral pursuit of sole self-interest," Merz said.
Merz spoke a week after tensions with Trump reached a peak over Greenland, threatening to destroy the NATO alliance that has underpinned Western security since the end of World War II.
His words echo those of French President Emmanuel Macron, who, in a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, said that Europe would not surrender to bullies.
At the same event, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a new form of European independence, while Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said that in an era of great power rivalry, middle-class democratic powers must build flexible coalitions together.
The island's Inuit people are somewhat confused by the very idea that someone could own the land beneath their feet.
"Last week, we demonstrated that we in the EU can act quickly when necessary. We were united in our determination not to be intimidated by tariff threats again," Merz said.
Merz praised the European Union's trade deals with the South American trading bloc Mercosur and with India as examples of Europe moving forward, adding that Europe must accelerate reforms and reduce regulations.
In a separate debate following the Greenland dispute, Trump caused widespread anger across Europe when he said European troops had stayed away from the front lines in Afghanistan.
"Fifty-nine German soldiers lost their lives during the almost 20-year deployment in Afghanistan and over 100 were injured, some seriously, in fighting and attacks," Merz told parliament.
"We will not allow this deployment to be denigrated or underestimated."
Lini një Përgjigje