Albares calls for progress towards genuine European sovereignty in Vienna

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, emphasised in Vienna on Wednesday the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security and deterrence, while continuing to serve as a project of peace and cooperation and without compromising its values. During his participation in the annual meeting of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), moderated by its Deputy Director, Vessela Tcherneva, the minister exchanged views with his Austrian counterpart, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, his Hungarian counterpart, Anita Orbán, and his Swiss counterpart, Ignazio Cassis. 

“If we do not uphold international law, protect vulnerable civilians and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States; if we do not reject, under all circumstances, the notion that war can replace diplomacy and dialogue, we will lose our credibility,” the minister said.

Under the title Europe’s power choice: setting the rules or following the giants, the four ministers discussed the key aspects of the changing nature of power in the international arena and how Europeans should forge their own path in order to serve their interests.

For Albares, given the complex international context, the answer is clear: more Europe to protect our citizens and preserve our values through a “genuine strategic awakening” that equips us with the appropriate tools and the necessary policies to achieve this. 

In this regard, the minister reiterated the need to move beyond strategic autonomy and take the next step towards genuine sovereignty in the areas of security, economic policy, trade, digital technology and energy, including greater diversification of partners and enhanced resilience.

“Europe must transform its economic power into political power, not to become another aggressive actor, but to defend international law and preserve peace,” he said.

Albares also advocated the creation of a credible EU defence capability integrated into NATO, the integration of the European defence industry, and the establishment of military structures and capabilities commensurate with the challenges.

​

He also reiterated Spain’s commitment to EU enlargement and the need to tackle essential reforms to streamline decision-making and overcome the vetoes that constrain the Union’s ability to act.

Prior to his participation in the ECFR, Albares held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Austria, Hungary and Switzerland. During these meetings, in addition to reviewing bilateral relations, the ministers discussed Europe’s role in the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

At the start of the day, the minister met with leading figures from academia and international and Austrian think tanks participating in the ECFR meeting, who are playing a key role in the current debate on Europe’s future in response to the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Under the theme “Europe’s Role in a Changing World”, the minister was joined by a panel of speakers including Jeremy Cliffe of the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Heather Grabbe of Bruegel, Michael Ignatieff of the Central European University (CEU) in Vienna, Ann Linde, former Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and current Special Adviser to the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Paul Schmidt, Secretary General of the Austrian Society for European Politics, and Ivan Vejvoda of the Austrian Institute for International Affairs.

​For images, click here.