A narrow geopolitical opening could reshape Europe’s future, but it may close quickly. Leaders must decide whether to accelerate integration and enlargement now.
The President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, is convinced that there is currently a window of opportunity to expand and strengthen the European Union that could last for about five years.
He stated this in a speech at the conference “Europe as a Task” in Prague on May 5.
“We now have a window of opportunity similar to the period after the Cold War. It could last about five years. We must seize it to deepen integration, to widen the EU, and to increase its resilience. Enlargement is now a geopolitical and strategic necessity”
– Alexander Stubb
The European Moment and the Enlargement Strategy
Stubb believes that the moment has come for Europe due to changes in the world order. World history shows that after World War I peace lasted about two decades, after World War II about forty years. After the Cold War the global system changed from 1989 until the start of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Today, in the context of changes in US foreign policy, the global order is being restructured again. Europe faces security pressure from Russia and is reassessing transatlantic relations.
“Ukraine has the largest and most modern army in Europe. If Russia is our main security threat, we need to deter it… You do not deter it with percentages, you deter it with capabilities, and there is no other European country that has more impressive capabilities than Ukraine”
– Alexander Stubb
He noted that Europeans should rid themselves of the idea that they are only helping Ukraine, and also think about how Ukraine can strengthen the European community as a whole.
Stubb noted that the EU often concentrates on one large project at a time, and at present that project should be defense. Therefore, Ukraine is an extremely important partner for the EU.
According to him, enlargement remains one of the most successful EU policies since its inception. He calls for rejoicing in the presence of countries that aspire to join the EU – Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. This is Europe’s moment for growth and maturation, so it is worth both strengthening and expanding the European Union.
The President of Finland outlined a potential long-term integration scheme: EU membership, candidate countries or close partners, and a broader European political community.
Stubb called himself a true fan of the EU and expressed belief in an ambitious project that countries have been working on for more than 80 years, creating peace instead of recurring conflicts among European states.
The conference “Europe as a Task” is taking place in Prague for the third time; among the speakers this year is the President of Finland Alexander Stubb. According to available data, during the Prague visit key questions of European integration were discussed.
This moment is seen as a chance for the EU to expand and strengthen common security on the continent.