Roberta Metsola at Georgetown: “Europe and America Must Stand Together for Freedom and Democracy”
In a powerful speech at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., European Parliament President Roberta Metsola delivered a passionate defense of democracy, urging a new generation of transatlantic leaders to uphold freedom, peace, and shared values between Europe and the United States. Speaking to students and academics at the historic Jesuit university, Metsola praised Georgetown’s global legacy of service and critical thought, calling on young people to “stand up for what you believe in” and to lead with courage in uncertain times.
Drawing on her own political journey, Metsola described politics as “a noble cause” and a vital tool for shaping positive change. She invoked historic moments of U.S.–European unity, including President Reagan’s 1988 speech on freedom and the Malta Summit of 1989, where President George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev formally ended the Cold War. Those moments, she said, proved that “you are never too small to matter.”
Turning to today’s geopolitical landscape, Metsola called Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, “a generational shift” that shattered Europe’s sense of security. She declared that “Ukraine is our line in the sand,” emphasizing Europe’s determination to defend freedom and reject “a peace that paves the way for a bloodier battle.”
Metsola warned that democracy is again under threat—not just from external aggression but also from internal disillusionment. “The fringes and extremes are on the rise,” she cautioned, urging political leaders to “reinforce the center” and deliver tangible results for citizens. Without such results, she said, people turn to “false answers from the extremes.”
Highlighting the $1.7 trillion annual EU–US trade relationship, Metsola celebrated the progress made through the 2024 EU-US Trade Agreement, describing it as a vital step in restoring “economic opportunity and security” across both continents. “Europe is open for business,” she said, while stressing the need for simpler, clearer legislation and fair growth that benefits all.
Addressing emerging challenges such as artificial intelligence, she framed the coming decade as a struggle between “democratic versus autocratic AI,” underscoring the importance of technological ethics rooted in democratic principles.
On defense and security, Metsola confirmed that EU member states are “rising to meet NATO’s new target of five percent of GDP for defense,” noting record-high European military spending and progress toward interoperability. “Europe must play a greater role in its own defense,” she asserted, while reaffirming that “peace and progress require cooperation.”
Closing her address, Metsola quoted former U.S. President Bill Clinton, reminding listeners that “Europe’s stability is vital to America’s national security.” Her message to the next generation was clear: democracy, though fragile and imperfect, remains worth defending. “Our way can still be the guiding force this world needs,” she concluded, receiving a standing ovation from the Georgetown audience.
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