Arya News - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is urging Europeans to become more independent in light of global upheavals.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is urging Europeans to become more independent in light of global upheavals.
"We are currently experiencing probably the greatest phase of political uncertainties and insecurities, certainly a deep caesura. It is a break of epochs," Merz said on Monday at the New Year"s reception of the Deutsche Börse German stock exchange near Frankfurt.
At present, people are witnessing a world "in which great powers are re-emerging, which do not primarily want to adhere to rules, but rather exercise power politics, in part power politics that despise rules," Merz said.
"If we as Europeans act united and determined, then we can make a difference in the world. We can achieve more than we sometimes believe ourselves," Merz stressed.
Merz sees a path for a "sovereign, free, peaceful and economically prosperous Europe." Germany, he said, plays a central role in this.
Europe must become capable of defending itself through its own efforts, make the conditions for the European economy more competitive again and become technologically more independent.
"Trans-Atlantic relations have changed," said the German chancellor. "But nostalgia or memories of old times do not help us."
Merz warned: "We must get things under control now if we want to play a part in this global transformation phase."
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the Deutsche Boerse New Year"s reception in Eschborn. Boris Roessler/dpa
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz speaks at the Deutsche Boerse New Year"s reception in Eschborn. Boris Roessler/dpa