Brussels Post

United in Diversity
Saturday, May 31, 2025

Metsola Calls on EU Leaders to 'Enhance' Efforts in 2025 to Bolster Europe's Global Influence

Metsola Calls on EU Leaders to 'Enhance' Efforts in 2025 to Bolster Europe's Global Influence

The President of the European Parliament urges unity and decisive measures regarding Ukraine, EU enlargement, and global challenges to reinforce the EU's position on the world stage.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, has urged EU leaders to step up their efforts to establish Europe's global position, stressing the importance of unity and decisive action in 2025. Speaking at the European Council, she acknowledged the advances made in 2024 but insisted that the following year must be pivotal for the EU to tackle urgent issues, such as supporting Ukraine, promoting enlargement, and addressing crises in the Middle East and beyond. Metsola stressed the necessity of unwavering support for Ukraine as it endures another winter of conflict.

She asserted that the EU must aim for a 'true and lasting peace' founded on dignity, freedom, and justice, not a 'false version' promoted by Russia.

The principle 'Nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine' should continue to lead efforts, she stated, urging ongoing diplomatic, financial, military, and humanitarian support.

Metsola also called for the continued freezing of Russian assets and the imposition of additional sanctions against President Vladimir Putin and his allies, reflecting the European Parliament's long-standing positions. She emphasized the strategic importance of backing Ukraine's energy infrastructure and rallying international partners to prioritize the country globally.

She also cautioned against Russian interference in Moldova, Georgia, and the Western Balkans, labeling enlargement as a 'geopolitical necessity.' Metsola referred to recent protests in Georgia and Moldova’s pursuit of the Moldova Growth Facility as signs of the region’s wish for closer ties with the EU. While emphasizing the need for genuine, merit-based reforms, she urged EU leaders to speed up enlargement efforts to prevent other powers from stepping in. Metsola commended the decision to fully integrate Romania and Bulgaria into the Schengen Area as a historic milestone, lauding both nations' perseverance.

However, she urged for more focus on Belarus, where the upcoming presidential elections on January 26 will underscore the absence of freedom and democracy under the current regime.

Metsola stressed the EU's responsibility to show real leadership and take action when the world turns its attention to Europe. Regarding the Middle East, Metsola welcomed the recent ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon as progress in saving lives and providing relief.

Nevertheless, she warned that hope alone cannot sustain peace.

She reiterated the EU’s calls for the release of hostages in Gaza, a durable ceasefire, and efforts to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing the need for lasting peace.

Metsola also addressed the dire situation in Syria, where millions seek a free and stable future amid the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

She urged the EU to strengthen its engagement with regional partners to forge a better future for Syria, warning that inaction carries too high a cost. Metsola concluded by highlighting the European Parliament’s recognition of Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado and President-elect Edmundo González Urrutia with the 2024 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.

She called for the continued support of the EU to ensure González Urrutia can return to Venezuela and take his rightful position as president.

'Europe has a role to play in Ukraine, in our neighborhood, in the Middle East, in Latin America, and across the globe,' Metsola stated.

'It is time we rise to that, to the promise of Europe, together.'
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
Satirical Sketch Sparks Political Spouse Feud in South Korea
Indonesia Quarry Collapse Leaves Multiple Dead and Missing
South Korean Election Video Pulled Amid Misogyny Outcry
Asian Economies Shift Away from US Dollar Amid Trade Tensions
Netflix Investigates Allegations of On-Set Mistreatment in K-Drama Production
US Defence Chief Reaffirms Strong Ties with Singapore Amid Regional Tensions
Vietnam Faces Strategic Dilemma Over China's Mekong River Projects
Malaysia's First AI Preacher Sparks Debate on Islamic Principles
France to Implement Nationwide Smoking Ban in Outdoor Spaces Frequented by Children
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
Russia's Fossil Fuel Revenues Approach €900 Billion Since Ukraine Invasion
Trump Accuses China of Violating Trade Agreement
Foreign Tax Provision in U.S. Budget Bill Alarms Investors
U.S. Goods Imports Plunge Nearly 20% Amid Tariff Disruptions
Italy Faces Population Decline Amid Youth Emigration
Russia Accuses Serbia of Supplying Arms to Ukraine
Alcohol Industry Faces Increased Scrutiny Amid Health Concerns
OpenAI Faces Competition from Cheaper AI Rivals
Gerry Adams Wins Libel Case Against BBC
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
After planting a tree and preaching about climate change, King Charles took a 27-car motorcade to the airport and flew home on an Airbus CC-330
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Vatican Calls for Sustainable Tourism in 2025 Message
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
EU Ministers Lack Consensus on Sanctioning Hungary Over Rule of Law
U.S. Considers Withdrawing Troops from Europe
German Intelligence Labels AfD as Far-Right Extremist
Critics Accuse European Court of Human Rights of Overreach
Far-Right Parties Suffer Setbacks in European Elections
Meloni and Macron Clash Over Trump Communication
Spain Proposes 100% Tax on Non-EU Holiday Home Purchases
Romanian Far-Right Candidate Labels Putin a War Criminal
Geert Wilders Threatens Dutch Coalition Over Migration Policy
Denmark Increases Retirement Age to 70, Setting a European Precedent
Any trade deal with US must be based on respect not threats', says EU commissioner
UK Leads in Remote Work Adoption, Averaging 1.8 Days a Week
Bruges Battles Overtourism as Visitors Steal Cobblestones and Historic Cities Struggle to Cope
Thirteen Killed in Russian Attacks Across Ukraine
Russian Drone and Missile Strikes Kill 13 in Ukraine
High-Profile Incidents and Political Developments Dominate Global News
Netanyahu Accuses Western Leaders of 'Emboldening Hamas'
Multiple Injuries Reported Following Stabbing Attack in Germany
Stabbing Attack in Germany Leaves Multiple Injured
Greenland Awards Mining Rights to Danish-French Consortium
×