Ahead of last week’s European Council meeting in Brussels, ALDE Party President Svenja Hahn MEP joined liberal leaders at the Renew Europe Pre-Summit on 18 June to align on the priorities Europe must deliver on.
With global instability rising and Europe facing growing pressure from authoritarian powers, liberals sent a clear message: Europe must lead with confidence, independence and ambition.
The liberal family agreed that true European independence means ending dependence to both the United States and China. Europe must be able to defend its own interests, strengthen its economy and protect its values in an increasingly competitive world.
Support for Ukraine remained at the heart of the discussion. Liberal leaders underlined that Europe’s security is inseparable from Ukraine’s freedom, and that the EU must continue providing the political, financial and military support needed for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia’s aggression.
The meeting also focused on Europe’s technological future. Leaders called for stronger tech sovereignty, greater investment in AI innovation and a Europe that can compete globally without becoming dependent on external powers for critical technologies.
To match these ambitions, liberals also stressed the need for a strong EU budget. Europe cannot build security, competitiveness, innovation and independence without the financial tools to deliver.
President Hahn made clear that the time for hesitation is over. Europe needs results, and liberals are ready to push for a Union that acts with unity, courage and purpose.
This Pre-Summit meeting reaffirmed the liberal commitment to a stronger, more sovereign Europe: one that stands with Ukraine, invests in its own future and leads on the global stage.