Bratislava, 31 May 2023 – “We need to build something between security guarantees to Israel and full-fledged NATO membership for Ukraine,” French President Emanuel Macron said at the 2023 Globsec Forum in Bratislava.

“We might not have a consensus for Vilnius, but we need strong and tangible security guarantees,” Macron insisted in his keynote speech, referring to the July NATO summit in Lithuania to debate the future cooperation with Kyiv.

“The French President reiterated Europe’s full support to Ukraine against Russia’s war, stressing that Moscow cannot dictate any peace arrangements: we can only accept a peace plan accepted by Ukraine that respects the UN law and can provide lasting peace provisions. 

Europe should be more active in increasing its defence and technology capabilities and stop relying on others. “Our stability and security should not be delegated to the US voters,” Macron stated.

The other frontline is in the information space, where Russia is currently effective in its attempts to erode Europe’s unity and influence its citizens. Therefore, Europe should also become more aggressive, the French President argued.

 “This war is absolutely critical, especially in democracies. Because democracies have some native weaknesses in comparison to authoritarian regimes. They have public opinions. And how to frame public opinion is as important as how people will vote.”

The address is available below.

About GLOBEC 2023

The 18th edition of GLOBSEC’s annual Bratislava Forum takes place from 29 – 31 May, to which a record number of regional and international politicians as well as renowned opinion leaders, have confirmed their attendance. The meeting will convene 1200 leaders from over 60 countries, including 11 heads of state and government from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and beyond.

The programme of the GLOBSEC 2023 Forum calls on leaders from the CEE region and beyond to address immediate needs regarding geopolitical cooperation and security issues while laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and resilient world. It also focuses on working toward solutions while enhancing public-private cooperation on the interconnected issues of energy, innovation, infrastructure, and health. The full agenda is available here.

The GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum is the preeminent international strategic conference on the frontlines of a newly divided world. Over the 18 years of its existence, the Forum has established itself as the most distinguished platform throughout the CEE region. This year it has been organised with help from the Czech and Austrian governments.

For more information, visit https://forum2023.globsec.org/ and share it on social media using the hashtag #GLOBSEC2023.

About GLOBSEC:

GLOBSEC is a global think-tank based in Bratislava committed to enhancing security, prosperity and sustainability in Europe and throughout the world. It is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental organisation. With its presence in Bratislava, Brussels, Kyiv, Vienna, and Washington, GLOBSEC’s mission is to influence the future by generating new ideas and solutions for a better and safer world. To this goal contributes the annual GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum, one of the leading global security conferences. GLOBSEC also organises the annual GLOBSEC Tatra Summit, a conference that provides the opportunity for experts to have fruitful political discussions on the future of Europe.