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Tale til konference for trioformandskabet arrangeret af Tænketanken Europa

Den 6. december 2024

Af Marie Bjerre, Europaminister (V)

Thank you very much for being here today. And for taking part in this important discussion about the future of Europe.

I would like to start by thanking Think Tank Europa for organizing this event. I would also like to thank our friends and partners from Poland and Cyprus who we will work closely with in the next 18 months.

 

***

 

Let me begin by telling you about an eye-opening discussion I had with a group of young students in Serbia last month.

I was visiting Serbia as part of my preparation for the Danish EU presidency in 2025. And there, I had the great pleasure of speaking to a group of political science students in Belgrade.

Before going there, I assumed that most of these students would have a positive view on an EU membership. But talking to them after my speech surprised me. Many of them were not too excited about joining the European Union.

They feared losing their national interests and identity to what they referred to as "Eurocrats."

 

***

 

This conversation stayed with me.

It’s a common concern: That the EU will weaken our national identities and autonomy. For member states as well as candidate countries.

It is a critique we also hear regarding the trio presidencies:

What can we achieve in a trio, that we can’t achieve on our own?

So – what good does a trio really do?

 

***

 

To me, there are two important benefits to the trio setup. One concerns representation, the other concerns time.

First, the trio ensures greater representation. Instead of having only one country holding the presidency for six months, the trio combines the strengths of our three nations – representing more than 40 million Europeans in a period of 18 months.

Working in a trio challenges us to look beyond our own borders. To understand and work with different perspectives. And to find solutions that benefit more than just our own citizens.

Of course, this means certain compromises.

But these compromises demand discussions that help strengthen the unity of the EU as a whole.

The other benefit is the time frame.

Working with a perspective of 18 months instead of only 6 allows us take a strategic, long-term view.

It ensures consistency, stability and continuity.

In a rapidly changing world, where a crisis often lasts longer than 6 months, this longer perspective is not just beneficial – it is essential.

Just think of Brexit, COVID-19, or the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 

***

 

But even if trio presidencies are all about continuity, they are often shaped by the shifting crises of our time.

This trio is no different. It will have to address a new geopolitical reality, marked by stronger competition and more conflict.

In uncertain times, we need a strong and secure Europe. And if I had to highlight three topics from the trio programme, it would be security, competitiveness and migration.

A key priority will be to strengthen the EU’s competitiveness. And here Draghi’s analysis is clear – our competitiveness is under serious pressure.

Take for instance the administrative burden from EU rules.

Between 2019 and 2024, the U.S. Congress passed 3,500 legal acts. In the same period, the EU adopted approximately 13,000.

That puts a big administrative burden on our companies.

Another example is the cost of energy. Electricity prices are 2-3 times higher for businesses in the EU compared to their competitors in the U.S. Natural gas prices are 4-5 times higher.

This is not only an economic issue but also a strategic challenge.

We also need to find new solutions to prevent irregular migration. This could include:

  • More effective returns
  • Reviewing the concept of safe third countries.
  • And finding better responses to the use of migrants as hybrid warfare.

 

***

 

That brings me to security – perhaps the most important issue for Europa right now.

I would like to highlight two main themes:

The first one being Ukraine. We need to ensure continued support to Ukraine in all aspects – from political and financial support to military and humanitarian aid.

The second theme is the enlargement process. We need to maintain momentum here.

The enlargement process is a geostrategic investment in both prosperity and peace.

I see Ukraine as an engine for enlargement. And I would also like to bring the negotiations with Moldova and our friends in the Western Balkans forward.

But the conditions for progress have to be met. And much will depend on the countries themselves. I am, however, optimistic.

These are ambitious priorities and we have a lot of work ahead of us.

This will not be done in 6 months or by one presidency. But maybe 18 months and three presidencies will have a chance of making real progress.

 

***

 

In a couple of years, I imagine myself back in Serbia, talking to that same group of students.

If all goes well, by then our trio will have completed a successful term. And we will be able to show concrete progress on the issues discussed here today.

Perhaps I would even be able to show the students real progress in the enlargement process — progress they could even see and feel in their own lives.

Because that is what our work is really all about: Making the lives of every European better – the ones in our European family and the ones that might join us soon.

But for us to get there, we must get to work.

And I am eager to get started with our work in the trio.

Thank you.