” Let Europe, the EU, and the Mediterranean Countries Lead a True Roadmap for a New Age of Peace and Economic Freedom.”
By Noel Farrugia
Europe’s post-Cold War experience shows that lasting stability and prosperity require honesty, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation.
The peaceful reunification of East and West Germany demonstrates the power of constructive engagement and diplomacy in overcoming division. Yet, the decades since the mid-1990s also reveal unaddressed tensions, missed opportunities, and growing challenges that have affected Europe’s security and economic resilience.
NATO’s enlargement and associated policies have, in some cases, coincided with increased geopolitical tensions, recurring conflicts, and economic strain across the continent. These developments underscore the need for a candid reassessment of Europe’s security architecture and strategic priorities.
Europe now faces a historic choice:
Strengthen structured political dialogue and confidence-building measures with all relevant partners, including the UK and Russia;
Reinforce diplomacy, arms control, and conflict-prevention mechanisms;
Ensure defence spending is balanced with social, economic, and cohesion priorities;
Advance genuine European strategic autonomy, rooted in treaties, institutional frameworks, and the realities of the continent.
At the same time, Europe must prioritise economic resilience, social cohesion, and sustainable development, ensuring citizens’ living standards and democratic legitimacy are protected.
By acknowledging past missteps while acting decisively today, Europe can lead a true New Age of peace, stability, and shared prosperity. The capacity, resources, and experience already exist to turn this vision into reality — but it depends on speaking truthfully, acting strategically, and committing to inclusive, rules-based cooperation.
Note for readers
EU vs Russia:
Excess Military Spending (USD Billion)
Year Extra EU Spending
2022 ██████████████████████████ 137
2023 ██████████████████████████████████ 177
2024 ██████████████████████████████████████ 185
The EU’s surplus spending compared to Russia.
2022: The EU spent $137 B more than Russia
2023: The EU spent $177 B more than Russia
2024: The EU spent $185 B more than Russia