The statement issued yesterday by the African Union in response to the United States’ withdrawal from key multilateral institutions deserves close attention also in Europe. The African Union has issued a clear and responsible warning: suspending funding and participation in United Nations bodies risks weakening peacebuilding, development, humanitarian action and the protection of the most vulnerable. It has done so in a balanced yet firm manner, reaffirming the central role of multilateralism at a time of profound global instability.
In this context, the European Union cannot afford to remain silent. The European Commission and the Council must take a clear and comprehensive political position in the face of a broader retreat from multilateral cooperation. If Europe claims to stand for multilateralism, now is the moment to demonstrate it in practice, through coherent and visible political choices.
Multilateralism is not an abstract principle: it is a direct geopolitical and strategic interest for the European Union. It is a concrete tool to promote stability, development and shared prosperity, especially in an increasingly fragmented and complex world where alliances are being reshaped and some traditional partners appear less reliable than in the past.
For this reason, the European Union must be ready to strengthen its political, financial and operational presence in the areas and sectors where the United States’ withdrawal risks creating dangerous gaps. Filling these gaps is not only a matter of international responsibility, but a strategic necessity to prevent new crises, protect European security and uphold a rules-based international order.
At the same time, it also represents a legitimate economic opportunity for EU Member States and European companies: investing more in multilateralism means creating space for European expertise, innovation, partnerships and sustainable growth, while strengthening Europe’s presence in strategic regions and markets.
The European Democratic Party calls on the European Commission and the Council to speak with one voice and to reaffirm firmly the EU’s commitment to strong, effective and inclusive multilateral institutions. When others step back, Europe must step forward.
