As the continent faces a range of destabilizing factors, it’s clear that Europe’s future stability depends on its ability to act autonomously, without excessive reliance on the United States.
The European Political Community (EPC) summit held in Budapest in late October served as a pivotal moment in Europe’s evolving approach to its security, geopolitical ambitions and internal cohesion.
With Hungary in the chair of the European Union’s rotating presidency, Prime Minister Viktor Orban set the tone by articulating a vision of a more self-reliant Europe, particularly when it comes to its security. The takeaway was clear: Europe must reduce its dependence on the United States and assume greater responsibility for its own defense and geopolitical future.
Orban’s comments reflect a growing consensus among European leaders, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, rising tensions in the Middle East and the mounting challenges posed by irregular migration and economic fragmentation.
The pressing issues on the table—war versus peace, migration versus security and European sovereignty versus subordination—underline the urgency with which Europe is reevaluating its role on the world stage. For Orban, this reevaluation is not just about tackling immediate security concerns, but also about recalibrating Europe’s broader strategic posture.
As the continent faces a range of destabilizing factors, it’s clear that Europe’s future stability depends on its ability to act autonomously, without excessive reliance on the United States.
In this context, the focus on European sovereignty over subordination to foreign powers is striking. Orban’s words resonate with a growing sentiment in Europe that, in an increasingly multipolar world, the continent must strengthen its own defense and diplomatic initiatives, even as the transatlantic alliance remains important.
Europe, it seems, is realizing that its interests may sometimes diverge from those of the United States, especially as Washington focuses more on the Indo-Pacific region and global economic realignments. The war in Ukraine, in particular, has exposed the limits of Europe’s security architecture and the fragile nature of NATO’s unity when confronted with complex and evolving threats.
Orban’s push for a more self-sufficient Europe is also a direct response to the political and security uncertainties stemming from the global order. Europe’s internal fragmentation—exemplified by issues like migration and economic disparity—has made clear that EU unity cannot be taken for granted.
Leaders like Orban and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama are thus advocating for greater political and economic integration within Europe itself, not just through the EU, but through broader continental cooperation, including non-EU European nations. This broader engagement is exemplified by the EPC, a relatively new initiative that has rapidly gained traction since its inception in 2022.
The EPC serves as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among nearly 50 European countries, bridging gaps between EU and non-EU states and fostering a sense of collective responsibility. It addresses common challenges such as security, migration, and economic stability, while also promoting connectivity across the continent.
This format encourages candid conversations and, as Rama noted, provides a unique opportunity for political leaders to engage freely and directly on sensitive issues. With Albania, for instance, aspiring to join the EU by the end of the decade, the EPC’s role in strengthening relations between non-EU countries and the EU is increasingly seen as vital.
Despite the emphasis on security and sovereignty, the summit was also about economic cooperation and the broader geopolitical implications of Europe’s future.
Orban’s remarks on the need to respond to the outcome of the recent U.S. election suggest that European leaders are mindful of the shifting political landscape in Washington and are actively considering how to adapt their own policies accordingly. The call for peace in Ukraine, for example, may signal a shift in Europe’s approach to the conflict, emphasizing diplomatic efforts over continued military escalation, a position that could diverge from Washington’s current stance.
At the same time, the growing optimism voiced by Rama about the future of Albania and the Western Balkans within Europe is an important sign of hope for European integration. The EPC has provided these countries with a platform for engagement that was previously unimaginable, and Albania’s successful push for EU accession negotiations under Hungary’s presidency highlights the potential for deeper integration across the continent.
For countries like Albania, Kosovo, and others in the Western Balkans, the EPC serves as a pathway to both greater European unity and a stronger collective response to regional and global challenges.
The Budapest summit highlighted the delicate balance Europe must strike between asserting its independence and maintaining its alliances. Orban’s vision of a sovereign, self-sufficient Europe is one that will likely gain momentum in the coming years, particularly as the continent continues to navigate a world defined by geopolitical instability and economic uncertainty.
However, the challenges of achieving true European autonomy will require both internal unity and external cooperation—a tightrope that European leaders will have to walk carefully in the years to come.
The EPC, with its focus on dialogue and cooperation, might just be the forum that facilitates this delicate balance.
Lucas Dupont is a freelance writer and contributor to multiple blogs, where he covers political, economic and social developments across Europe and their impact on other regions of the world.
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