PM Frieden Stresses ‘No Time to Lose’ in Dealing With Europe’s Challenges

On Tuesday 7 October 2025, Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden gave a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France) in which he called on commitment to the European Union’s values and urged reforms on defence and enlargement of the union.

In his speech, Prime Minister Frieden said: “Europe cannot give up on the rules-based system and international law. It must remain the voice of these values. In the midst of a changing international landscape, it is crucial that we recommit to those European values. For eighty years, Europe’s success and way of life were built on an international order of rules, treaties and institutions.” 

On the subject of EU enlargement, he said: “We need to revive hope and show that accession to the EU is realistic and close. But enlargement is also a question of strategic interests. Our decisions must consider our own geopolitical objectives, because other powers are competing for influence in those regions. And within candidate countries, there are fierce struggles too, between those who want to move closer to Europe and those who do not. The recent elections in Moldova show just that. Keeping those countries in an eternal waiting room will push them away from Europe.”

In reference to defence policy, the Prime Minister remarked: “On European defence, the Commission’s proposals are welcome: raising more funds, scaling up joint procurement and training, building an industrial base. They will strengthen our common defence. We should make full use of our diversity and foster specialisation. If we build on our respective strengths, the sum of our efforts can be much bigger.”

Moreover, Prime Minister Frieden emphasised: “We have no time to lose on dealing with the challenges our citizens and countries face today. We need bold ideas and bold actions to maintain Europe’s role on the world stage.”

During his visit to the European Parliament, Prime Minister Frieden met with President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola and Magnus Brunner, European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, amongst others.