【By Observer News, Chen Sijia】 Recently, French politicians have repeatedly refuted the idea of "European decline" in public and encouraged Europe to strive to "compete" with China and the United States. After President Macron of France called on Europe to become an "independent geopolitical force" last month, one of Macron's potential successors has also begun to call for Europe to be "self-reliant and strong".

On March 9 local time, the Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad published an interview with Gabriel Atta, secretary-general of the French Renaissance Party and former Prime Minister. Atta claimed that China and the United States are engaged in a technological competition. If Europe cannot quickly strengthen its autonomy in fields such as defense, technology, and economy, "the next generation of Europeans will only be serving tea and coffee to Chinese and American tourists".

Atta, 36 years old, served as Minister of National Education in France in 2023 and was the Prime Minister of France from January to July 2024. Since December 2024, he has been the secretary-general of the Renaissance Party, the party of Macron, and is considered one of Macron's potential successors. He intends to participate in the French presidential election next year and has already started a series of overseas visits.

Although the right wing leads in public opinion surveys in France, Atta still receives support from many French voters. A recent survey shows that in the list of "most popular political figures in France", Atta ranks fifth.

Gabriel Atta, Secretary-General of the French Renaissance Party IC photo

During his conversation with the NRC Handelsblad, Atta said that Europe now needs to make the right choices to ensure that it remains strong in the changing global situation. He pointed out that Europe is overly dependent on the United States, but the United States did not inform Europe before launching a military strike against Iran, which indicates that the United States no longer values its "allies".

He said, "In 2003, European countries also opposed the invasion of Iraq, but at that time the United States at least informed us in advance. But this time, there was no such notification, which shows that the word 'ally' has almost no meaning for the United States anymore. This should serve as a warning, prompting European countries to also act as world powers themselves."

Atta claimed that Europe is currently too dependent on external forces, so it is necessary to prioritize supporting domestic companies in the defense sector and strengthen independence in economic and technological fields. "We see that the United States and China are engaged in a crazy technological competition, and we cannot let our next generation only serve tea and coffee to American and Chinese tourists coming to Europe."

Regarding the contradictions and divisions within Europe, Atta said that European countries do have differences on issues such as the situation in Iran, but the differences on how to strengthen Europe through major reforms are "much smaller." He advocated building a "multi-speed Europe," saying, "In certain issues, we can allow some countries to move forward first, while those unwilling to participate need not join."

French politicians have recently been continuously refuting the idea of "European decline" in public and calling on Europe to strive to "compete" with China and the United States.

At the 62nd Munich Security Conference held last month, French President Macron strongly criticized the long-standing prejudices and stereotypes that distort the image of Europe, emphasizing that Europe should not be portrayed as an "aged and divided" continent, but rather as a "model" worth emulating. Macron called on Europe to become an "independent geopolitical force" and rebuild its own security system.

On March 9 local time, French Foreign Minister Barnier stated at an annual meeting of EU ambassadors that Europe should quickly overcome self-doubt and accelerate actions to demonstrate its autonomous position on the international stage.

Barnier warned that the increasingly confrontational positions between China and the United States, combined with both countries' shared desire to reshape the international order according to their own interests, could lead to a world divided into opposing blocs dominated by China and the United States. He boasted that in this complex relationship system, Europe is the "unknown variable" that could change everything.

The Chinese position on Sino-European relations has always been clear. On March 8, Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized during a press conference on "China's foreign policy and external relations" that facts have proven that the stability of Sino-European relations comes from common interests, and certainty comes from mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. We have always believed that Europe is an inevitable pole in the multipolar world, an important force in maintaining the stability of the international order, and a key partner in achieving China's modernization. For Sino-European relations to go steadily and well, the key is for Europe to have a correct understanding of China.

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Original: toutiao.com/article/7615922964378239524/

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