I am very pleased to be here today in Berlin with Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
We are between two meetings of the European Council. Last week’s special meeting focused on European defence and Ukraine. Next week’s meeting will have competitiveness at its core. And both themes are interlinked. Investing in European defence also means investing in our industries, in our technology, in jobs for our citizens.
At the same time, Europe needs a strong, competitive economy to defend its interests in a challenging global context. Prosperity and security are two sides of the same coin.
Next week we will therefore focus on Europe’s competitiveness: on energy costs, on simplification, on cutting red tape, bureaucracy and overregulation, and on mobilizing private savings for our economy through the Capital markets union.
We will discuss two very important European industrial sectors, that employ millions of Europeans: automotive, and steels and metals. As a result of Chancellor Scholz’ initiative, the European Commission will present Action Plans for these two strategic sectors.
Europe is a trading powerhouse. We therefore need to deepen and multiply our trade partnerships. In fact, the world is looking at Europe as a reliable and predictable partner. We must seize this opportunity. We need more trade agreements, not more tariffs. Tariffs are taxes for companies and citizens. Tariffs only increase inflation.
Allow me to dedicate a few words to thank Chancellor Scholz. The Chancellor has been playing a fundamental role in shaping Europe’s positions and policies over the last years. When he launched the Zeitenwende. When he led a historical effort to decouple Germany’s and Europe’s energy ties from Russia. In record time. As a force for unity at the European Council. During unprecedented challenges.
And today, that European unity is more important than ever. Without it, the pressures we face could make us weaker. With it, we have everything in our hands. We need to approach today’s world in a more confident, a bolder, a more creative spirit. And for all this, Germany is vitally important. With its determined investment in our common defence. With its huge economic and innovative potential. With its commitment to Europe’s global outreach. And, above all, with the ability of its democratic political forces to work together for a common good. In a European spirit.
Germany and the European Union always come out stronger from crises. I know that we will do so again. Thank you so much. Thank you dear Olaf.