The Diplomat
Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares warned this Wednesday in Vienna that Europe “must transform its economic power into political power” and have a common Defense Force integrated into NATO “not to become another aggressive actor, but to defend international law and peace.”
“If we do not defend international law, the protection of vulnerable civilians, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; if we do not reject, under all circumstances, the idea that war can replace diplomacy and dialogue, we will lose our credibility,” the minister stated during his participation in the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), where he debated with his counterparts from Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger; Hungary, Anita Orbán; and Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis.
Under the title “Europe’s Power Choice: Setting the Rules or Following the Giants,” the four ministers analyzed key aspects of the changing nature of power on the international stage and how Europeans must define their own path that serves their interests.
For Albares, given the complex international context, Europe needs to go beyond strategic autonomy and take the leap towards true sovereignty in security, the economy, trade, digital technology, and energy, which includes greater diversification of partners and greater resilience. “Europe must transform its economic power into political power, not to become another aggressive actor, but to defend international law and peace,” he stated.
Albares also advocated for the creation of a credible EU Joint Defense Force integrated into NATO, the integration of the European defense industry, and the establishment of military structures and capabilities commensurate with the challenges. Prior to his participation in the ECFR, Albares held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Austria, Hungary and Switzerland, with whom he reviewed bilateral relations and discussed Europe’s role in the armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
