The face of a strong but friendly Europe in the words of Antonio Costa
(Strasbourg) Economic competitiveness, security, defence. But not only. For Antonio Costa, President of the European Council since the 1st of December, Europe “must remain a peace project.” He travelled to Strasbourg to deliver his first speech to the European Parliament. His reflections focused on the future of the EU in the context of current geopolitical developments, ongoing wars and the first actions of US President Trump. He reflected on multilateralism and international cooperation. He traced the future commitments of the EU-27 (whose role is to coordinate the summits of EU heads of state and government) in the fight against climate change, for sustainable development, for the “poverty and disease reduction” in the world. His used a quasi “jubilee-like” vocabulary – a stark difference from that of the new White House tenant. On the subject of migration, he called for the creation of “legal channels” to allow third-country nationals to enter the EU safely; he pleaded for a “just peace” for Ukraine. With regard to the Holy Land, “the cease-fire must become the stepping stone to lasting peace,” he said, while “the suffering people of Gaza” must receive immediate aid.
Ukraine, enlargement, geopolitics. Antonio Costa, a Goan Catholic, was born in Lisbon on July 17th 1961. He is married and has two children. He is a supporter of Benfica football club, a member of the Socialist Party, served as mayor of Lisbon, several times as Minister, subsequently elected to the European Parliament, and Prime Minister of Portugal from 2015 to April 2024.
He brought “three main messages” to Strasbourg, which he summarised as follows:
“First, the European Union reaffirmed its support to Ukraine for as long as necessary, and whatever it takes, for a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. Peace must be the peace chosen by the Ukrainians”, not imposed by Putin. Second, “we are committed to enlargement” for six Balkan countries, plus Ukraine and Moldova, “as the biggest geopolitical investment for peace and security, for our people and our continent.” In his third point he voiced the ambition, which he deems a necessity, “to give the EU a strategic role in the world”, pledging to cooperate with the new US administration “while protecting our interests.”
A stronger transatlantic relationship. “We need to renew our relations with the United Kingdom, and work for a stronger transatlantic relationship, rooted in our common history and deep bonds with the United States and Canada”, Costa continued. The European Union and the United States “are each other’s largest trading and investment partners. It is in the interest of both to keep fostering a stable, balanced and predictable trade relationship.” In this case, the President of the European Council appeared to be pre-empting potential unfriendly measures (tariffs) from Trump against the European economy and its goods.
Defence, climate, development goals… Antonio Costa delved into the issue of defence, outlining the fact that “the Member States have been increasing their budgets” for this field. “The twenty-three Member States that are also NATO allies, all together are expected to be spending above 2% for defence investment.” He did not use the term ‘military expenditure’, perhaps out of decency, but ultimately that is the case. He went on to remark:
“We are on the right track to build the Europe of Defence.”
“The European Union is a pillar of the international rules-based order. Upholding the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and inviolability of borders. Continuing to support an inclusive and multilateral system under the principles of the UN Charter and international law. We, the EU, remain committed to all our international engagements, to a comprehensive agenda to tackle climate change, inequality and the reform of the global financial institutions. We remain committed to the Sustainable Development Goals, the Pact for the Future and the Paris Agreement.” This is where Washington is definitely far away… “Our Union is a project for peace, that has been stable for decades because we value our alliances, our economic interdependency, our integrated societies.”
“No problem without solution.” The European Council President thus pointed out that he invited European leaders for an informal meeting on defence on the third of February. A “white paper” on defence is being prepared by the European Commission. “It is in our interest to do more in the field of defence. To become more resilient, more efficient, more autonomous. This way, the European Union will also become a stronger transatlantic partner, including in the context of NATO.” In full spate: his words fill the pages of the notebook. Innovative industry, energy autonomy, inter-institutional relations. He touches a raw nerve by pointing out the urgency of the decisions to be taken. This is particularly true of the commitments that lie ahead for the EU, “a modern and reinforced European Union budget that is up to the challenges Europe is facing. A budget that invests in our collective security. A budget that fosters competitiveness and innovation and promotes a twin transition that works for citizens and businesses. Leaving no one behind. No region forgotten. No problem without solution.”
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