The European Union must play an active role or else it will become a plaything for the great powers. This was stated by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to Croatian public broadcaster HRT, BTA reported.
He was in Croatia in connection with the informal meeting of the European People's Party (EPP), which took place in Zagreb on January 30 and 31, and also held a meeting with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
According to Merz, Europe now talks much more about joint defense than it did in the past, emphasizing that it is facing a crucial question - whether to play an active role in this world or become a plaything of the great powers.
"I openly declare that we have our own role, that we have enough self-confidence that we are strong and that we are able to defend our own interests in the world," the German Chancellor emphasized, adding that in order to achieve this, defense capabilities, competitiveness and determination of the member states of the EU.
Friedrich Merz stressed that the new geopolitical circumstances in Europe and the world could contribute to a faster EU enlargement, but there is still no clear decision on this issue. He noted that on this issue he relies on the advice of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who knows the region well.
"Andrej Plenković can probably assess this best - this region and the countries of the Western Balkans. All of us, including me, rely on his advice because he knows this region and its participants well. We are talking about this, but we do not have a decision yet,", explained Merz.
The Chancellor also commented on Europe's refusal of Russian gas, pointing out that this is irreversible and Germany wants to strongly focus on wind and solar energy. However, it also needs gas and "in this sense this part of Europe plays an important role", Friedrich Merz also said, specifying that he had discussed this issue with Plenković in recent weeks.
He added that he agreed with the Croatian prime minister "when it comes to important political issues of the EU".