Victor Negrescu, Vice-President of the European Parliament highlights the urgent need to strengthen European sovereignty, emphasizing that the European Union must protect its interests and take a proactive role in shaping its future. “We cannot be spectators. If we do not act now, others will decide for us,” he warns. For the EU to remain relevant on the global stage, it must be strong, independent and able to defend its interests.

 As international dynamics shift, Victor Negrescu stresses that Europe cannot afford to be vulnerable or dependent. He argues that the Union must be an active participant in key discussions on world order, security, and transatlantic relations, asserting that Europe cannot remain a passive participant in these critical areas.

 To make European sovereignty more than a theoretical concept, concrete actions are needed, including:

• Protecting critical infrastructure: With nearly 70% of the EU’s telecommunications equipment coming from outside the EU, Europe faces significant strategic risks.
• Reducing dependence on technologies that pose security threats.
• Creating a robust European framework: Establish a European Digital Security Fund and invest in European technologies to build independent alternatives.

 Negrescu pointed out: “If we do not act now, others will decide for us. A reactive and divided Europe risks losing its ability to lead globally, but the EU can strengthen its sovereignty by defending its position, values and interests. “Europe must be sovereign, it must be strong and it must be ready,” he added.

 The European Union must use its economic strength, its defense capacity and its geopolitical influence. With a population of 450 million and a political community of 742 million, Europe cannot afford to be a mere consumer on the global market or vulnerable to the decisions of other powers. To protect its sovereignty, Europe must become a strategic actor in control of its own economy, security and technological future.

 Faced with the challenges of the war in Ukraine and global economic and technological competition, Europe must adopt a new paradigm. Strengthening defense capabilities, while still valuing alliances such as NATO, will reduce the EU’s dependence on external powers for security. Expanding European defense initiatives and creating a common framework for intervention can help ensure a more stable Europe.

 Negrescu also stresses the need to protect Europe’s democratic values, especially against external threats such as propaganda, cyber-attacks and electoral interference. Protecting democratic mechanisms should be a top priority for the Union.

 In conclusion, Negrescu calls for Europe’s commitment to its role as a global power. It can no longer delegate economic decisions to China, security to the United States, or technological innovation to other regions. If Europe does not act decisively it risks becoming a passive participant in global affairs. Now is the time for Europe to assert its sovereignty, defend its interests and strengthen its position on the international stage.