Belgian Prime Minister from 2014 to 2019, he then took the helm of the Council for a mandate which ends at the end of November 2024. Concerned for our Europe in a ruthless world: “ In recent years, we have clearly seen that there is a cocktail of incidents and war crises which is extremely dangerous. I appeal on behalf of the European Union to pull itself together “.
The Middle East has been burning for a year: “ I believe we need to do morehe insists, the obsession now must be to stop this escalation. There is obviously very strong condemnation from the European Union of these vile terrorist attacks which were perpetrated by Hamas against the people of Israel. And at the same time, Israel has the right to defend itself and must do so in accordance with international law. » What European diplomacy? “ I think we underestimate our abilities to positively influence the situation in this regionhe replies. And too often, there is perhaps the easy temptation to consider that others are responsible. The United States or countries in the region. »
In Ukrainebefore a feared winter, the President of the Commission announced 35 billion euros guaranteed by exceptional profits from frozen Russian assets: “ The message is very simplehe explains. The European Union stands and will keep its commitments. And besides, there could be a dissenting voice, perhaps that of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. This will not prevent the decision from being taken since we will be able, on such a subject, to act by qualified majority. » Orban may have met Vladimir Putin, but 26 out of the 27 member states came together to reaffirm with even more strength and more determination support for Ukraine.”
Mario Draghi’s report calls on European Union leaders to mobilize additional funds of 800 billion euros per year to finance essential investments, but “frugal” countries do not want new debt together: “ the European Union is a democracyjudge Charles Michel. We should be proud of that. And who says democracy actually says feelings, opinions which are not spontaneously convergent. We have demonstrated this despite initially divergent positions, we manage to be in unity through dialogue and through negotiation, through discussion. » A lead? “ There are savings in Europe which, in my opinion, go too far to finance other economies, notably the United States, and that is a bit absurd. ! »
On immigration, the president of the European Council speaks out in favor of financing fences on the borders of Greece and Poland : “ I took a position several years ago in favor of supporting the European Union to secure the external borders of the European Union. I am in favor of it as long as it is compatible with the fact that there are secure crossing points to allow regular controlled immigration. I do not accept that it is the smugglers, the traffickers, the criminals who decide who has the right or not to enter European soil. In terms of migration, the debate is obviously difficult, with a lot of emotion and sometimes the temptation of exploitation by populist groups. “, he admits. Against this push from the extremes “right and left”, he specifies, “ we must have our European values firmly anchored in our bodies and not be ashamed, not embarrassed; in the narrative, in the battle for the story, we must be more offensive and not stay on the defensive! »