Luc Frieden: “We cannot give up on the rules-based system and international law”

Addressing MEPs, Prime Minister of Luxembourg Luc Frieden stressed Europe must recommit to its core values of liberty, democracy, and the rule of law.

In his ‘This is Europe’ address to the European Parliament Luc Frieden said Europe is at a pivotal moment, facing the international turmoil of technological revolution, economic shifts, climate change, and migratory flows. For 80 years Europe’s success and way of life have been built on an international order of rules, treaties and institutions, he said, adding that “today, that system is under pressure like never before. Too few defend it, too many have lost faith in it. But Europe cannot give up on the rules-based system and international law. We must remain the voice of these values.”

The Prime Minster highlighted the need to “revive hope and show that accession to the EU is realistic and close” and called for a shorter and clearer timeline for countries that want to join the EU, with a decision on Montenegro’s accession needed in 2026. Enlargement is a question of strategic interests, he said, and keeping countries in an “eternal waiting room will push them away from Europe”. He also expressed his support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

On defence, Prime Minister Frieden welcomed proposals by the European Commission to raise more funds, scale up joint defence procurement, and to develop Europe’s industrial base. He stressed that member states have to make use of their industrial diversity and specialisations to defend Europe against those who challenge its values. In light of increasingly fierce international competition, Europe must rethink its decision-making processes and revisit the idea of a Europe of concentric circles with a smaller core group of member states, the Prime Minister said.

Luxembourg’s Prime Minster closed his remarks by emphasising that Europe needs to boost its economy and create jobs, make progress on the single market and the competitiveness agenda, and support an open single market and European unity.

Watch his speech and debate with MEPs.