Macron says global turmoil could mark ‘European moment’ for EU

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday that current global turmoil could become a defining “European moment,” arguing the European Union has a rare opportunity to assert itself as a geopolitical power.

“I think this very moment could be the European moment,” Macron said during an Ekathimerini event in Athens.

Citing global disorder, uncertainty over US reliability and growing pressure on the international order, he said Europe’s strengths, including predictability, economic weight and respect for international law, position it to play a larger role.

Macron framed Europe’s geopolitical ambitions as the next chapter of a longer European project, saying the bloc had already achieved peace and prosperity despite its complexity and had proven able to advance through crises.

He argued those achievements should give Europeans confidence to move further, saying “there is no reason we will be unable to write a new one.”

“We have to become a power,” he said, arguing Europe must move beyond being only “a peace place and a single market” and become “a geopolitical power.”

Macron said Europe already has the scale, pointing to defense capabilities, trade strength and financial weight, but must turn those assets into influence through deeper integration, faster decision-making and protection of key industries.

He also renewed calls for stronger European defense and a more robust European pillar within NATO, saying Europe should “buy European and produce as Europeans.”

Calling the moment “a wake-up call for Europe,” Macron said the bloc must strengthen strategic autonomy and act with greater unity.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis echoed the message, calling this period “a unique opportunity for Europe” and urging more substance in strategic autonomy.

He said Europe must strengthen defense, competitiveness and energy security, calling the coming years “make or break for Europe.”