The need for the European Union to commit to common policies on Defense and Security was highlighted as an immediate and high priority by New Democracy MEP Dimitris Tsiodras, speaking on Monday evening at the Plenary Session of the European Parliament.

“In the new geopolitical and economic landscape that is emerging, European citizens must feel safe. They need to know that there are common European borders that are protected. They need to feel that there is a shared commitment to defense,” he emphasized.

Tsiodras pointed out that the new geopolitical environment brings both challenges and opportunities:

“This is an opportunity to move forward with common policies that provide answers to citizens’ concerns,” he stressed.

He warned that:

“As long as we, the pro-European forces, fail to do this, we will be giving more room to extreme voices that want to take us back to the past.”

And he concluded with an urgent call to action:

“European citizens must feel that our common European policies guarantee a better future for them and their children. The times will not wait. Now is the time to act decisively!”

Full Speech:

Dear colleagues,

We all recognize that we are living in a new geopolitical and economic reality.
We are also discussing major challenges.
At the same time, however, we must also see the opportunities.

Europe has always moved forward through difficulties.
This is an opportunity for common policies!

We must provide answers to citizens’ concerns.

Because as long as pro-European forces fail to do so, we allow space for extreme voices—voices that want to drag us back to the past.

Above all, we must address the issue of security and defense.

European citizens must feel safe.
They must know that common European borders are protected.
There must be a shared commitment to defense.

And at the same time, they must feel that the policies implemented at the European level ensure a better future for them and their children.

The times will not wait, and now is the time to act decisively!