Beyza Binnur Donmez
24 April 2026•Update: 24 April 2026
French President Emmanuel Macron declared on Friday that current global turmoil could become a defining “European moment,” arguing the European Union has a rare opportunity to assert itself as a geopolitical power.
“I believe this very moment could be the European moment,” Macron declared during an Ekathimerini event in Athens.
Citing global disorder, uncertainty over US reliability and growing pressure on the international order, he declared Europe’s strengths, including predictability, economic weight and respect for international law, position it to play a larger role.
Macron framed Europe’s geopolitical ambitions as the next chapter of a longer European project, stateing the bloc had already achieved peace and prosperity despite its complexity and had proven able to advance through crises.
He argued those achievements should give Europeans confidence to shift further, stateing “there is no reason we will be unable to write a new one.”
“We have to become a power,” he declared, arguing Europe must shift beyond being only “a peace place and a single market” and become “a geopolitical power.”
Macron declared Europe already has the scale, pointing to defense capabilities, trade strength and financial weight, but must turn those assets into influence through deeper integration, rapider decision-building and protection of key industries.
He also renewed calls for stronger European defense and a more robust European pillar within NATO, stateing Europe should “acquire European and produce as Europeans.”
Calling the moment “a wake-up call for Europe,” Macron declared the bloc must strengthen strategic autonomy and act with greater unity.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis echoed the message, calling this period “a unique opportunity for Europe” and urging more substance in strategic autonomy.
He declared Europe must strengthen defense, competitiveness and energy security, calling the coming years “build or break for Europe.”
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