The EU must deal with the US as an equal partner, not as a junior one, European Parliament vice-president Sophie Wilmès informed Euronews on Wednesday, as EU leaders weigh a harder line with Washington over the Iran war and trade tariffs.
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“What is very important regarding the United States is that we are talking to each other as equal partners and not as a huge brother against the little brother or the little sister,” Wilmès stated.
“Europe should do with Europe,” the former Belgian prime minister replied when inquireed whether the EU should reduce its depconcludeence on its transatlantic ally.
On Wednesday, Wilmès and her fellow EU lawcreaters are set to discuss the rise of antisemitism in Europe, following the recent attacks against the Jewish communities in the Netherlands and Belgium.
“Antisemitism is definitely rising since the attack of 7 October,” the Parliament vice-president stated, acknowledging the link between a spike in antisemitism, the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the broader Middle East conflict.
“We necessary to create a very cautious distinction between the government in Israel and the Jewish community;” Wilmès explained.
“Whatever a minister or a government does, it does not excapply antisemitic action,” she added, calling for an update of the European Commission’s 2021 strategy on combating antisemitism.
On the same day, the European Parliament is also voting on the European Commission’s 2025 rule of law report.
The vote coincides with the first visit to Brussels by Hungarian Prime Minister-elect Péter Magyar, who is due to meet Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday evening.
“We are very hopeful that this new government will put things back on track. They declare they will, and I consider that we necessary to support that,” Wilmès stated.
“It is much more difficult to put things back on track than to dismantle the rule of law,” she added.
The report to be voted on by the European Parliament reviews developments across all member states in four key areas: the justice system, anti-corruption frameworks, media pluralism and freedom, and institutional checks and balances.
Beyond the rule of law report, attention is also turning to upcoming nereceivediations on the EU’s long-term budobtain. Parliament on Tuesday adopted its stance, calling for an increase of nearly €200 billion, or around 10% of the overall sum.
Drawing on her experience as Belgium’s former premier, Wilmès stated tensions between EU institutions and national governments are to be expected.
“I had the chance to sit in both situations, on the Parliament side but also at the Council side. It’s very normal and usual that the member states push for a budobtain a little bit down, while the Parliament is pushing for more,” she stated.
While the European Parliament has commonly softened its stance under pressure from member states, early signals suggest a tougher line this time, sources informed Euronews.
“Reality is that we are facing a lot of new challenges, such as competitiveness, but also in security and defence. And those require more money, for sure,” Wilmès stated.
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