Former Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stump, now director of the School of Intergovernmental Governance at the European University of Florence, told the Figaro newspaper that the “radical change” caused by Putin’s attack on Ukraine in the historic NATO, but also on the serious issue of EU enlargement, while arguing that Europeans must reinvent the concept of Europe.
Alexander Stump argues that the Putin regime is inherently dangerous, and believes that Europe will be divided again into two camps, hence, he says, “we must invent a European confederation, somewhat as President Macron or the former Prime Minister of Italy Enrico Letta “.
In his view, this confederation should include three different levels. A hard core, the European Union, a second level, the European Community, including countries that want to join the Union but do not have the capacity to do so today, and a third tier, which will include countries that do not want to join in the European Union, such as the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland or Switzerland. “We need to find a way to work together, perhaps by organizing an annual or semi-annual summit to discuss security issues,” he said.
He opposes Ukraine’s current accession to NATO, but in favor of paving the way for the European Union, and notes that it must be understood, especially in France, that enlargement must become a geopolitical and geostrategic decision, not a technical one. He believes that an enlargement debate should be resumed in order to give way to the Balkan countries, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, which will be difficult and time-consuming, but, according to him, “It is absolutely essential that the concept of the European Union be fully reconsidered.”
“The world has changed since February 24 and we have to understand that. The power of the West is diminishing. In this context, do we want a small Europe or a big Europe that can make its voice heard?” .
Finally, when asked if the Finns are afraid of Russian retaliation after his country’s accession to NATO, he replied: “Not at all! It is the international media that are worried. There will be hybrid retaliation here and there, but we are not worried. Do not worry about us! “Russia, our entry into NATO is a fait accompli and our presence in the Alliance will only strengthen the security of the Baltic. If anyone says otherwise, it is because they do not understand Russia or NATO.”
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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