Speech by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Charles University in Prague on Monday, 29 August 2022

Summary:

Transcript of the speech delivered by Germany's Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the Charles University (Czech Republic) on 29 August 2022.

Further information:

The historical turning point to which German Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred in the wake of Russia's invasion in Ukraine earlier in the year is understood to have led to major consequences for Europe and the European Union (EU). Mr Scholz defined these in this speech and outlined some of the requirements for the future Europe - a geopolitical European Union. His concluding remark was Europe is out future - and that future is in our hands.

Official

German Federal Government: News, 29/08/2022: "Europe is our future – and that future is in our hands" https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-en/news/scholz-speech-prague-charles-university-2079558

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News

Politico, 29/08/2022: Scholz pitches major EU enlargement — with reform https://www.politico.eu/article/scholz-eu-enlargement-reform-prague-charles-university/

EurActiv, 29/08/2022: European treaties ‘aren’t set in stone’, says Scholz https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/european-treaties-arent-set-in-stone-says-scholz/

Reuters, 29/08/2022: Germany's Scholz pledges to support Ukraine "for as long as it takes" https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germanys-scholz-we-will-keep-up-support-ukraine-long-it-takes-2022-08-29/

Euronews, 29/08/2022: Olaf Scholz says EU must reform to cope with enlarging to 30-36 members https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/08/29/olaf-scholz-says-eu-must-reform-to-cope-with-enlarging-to-30-to-36-members

Associated Press (AP News), 29/08/2022: German leader outlines vision for bigger, more coherent EU https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-china-prague-european-union-a5ad13e302de6f88c7f41f484507ece5

France24, 29/08/2022: Scholz eyes 'sovereign, enlarged EU' including Ukraine https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220829-scholz-eyes-sovereign-enlarged-eu-including-ukraine

RFI News, 29/08/2022: German Chancellor Scholz calls for the integration of Ukraine, Georgia into EU https://www.rfi.fr/en/europe/20220829-german-chancellor-scholz-calls-for-the-integration-of-ukraine-gerorgia-into-eu

The Local (Germany), 29/08/2022: German Chancellor Scholz backs EU membership for Ukraine https://www.thelocal.de/20220829/german-chancellor-scholz-backs-eu-membership-for-ukraine/

The Brussels Times, 29/08/2022: Towards a multi-tiered Europe? Scholz calls for EU enlargement https://www.brusselstimes.com/279968/towards-a-multi-tiered-europe-scholz-calls-for-eu-enlargement

Le Monde, 30/08/2022: In Prague, Olaf Scholz articulates his strategic vision for Europe https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/08/30/in-prague-olaf-scholz-articulates-his-strategic-vision-for-europe_5995267_4.html

EUObserver, 30/08/2022: Scholz wants majority voting for EU sanctions https://euobserver.com/eu-political/155893

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Commentary and Analysis

RFE/RL, 29/08/2022: Germany's Scholz Backs EU Expansion To Include Western Balkans, As 'Center Of Europe Is Moving Eastwards' https://www.rferl.org/a/germany-scholz-western-balkans-russia-ukraine-aid/32009033.html

Party of European Socialists (PES): News, 29/08/2022: Chancellor Scholz’s vision for bigger, more coherent EU must inspire change https://www.pes.eu/news_content.php?id=1596

Deutsche Welle: Opinion, 30/08/2022: Olaf Scholz dreams of a larger Europe https://p.dw.com/p/4GDo7

Young European Federalists (JEF Europe): Press Release, 31/08/2022: Scholz's Prague Speech: too short a step for a federal Europe https://jef.eu/news/joint-press-statement-scholzs-prague-speech-too-short-a-step-for-a-federal-europe/

Euro|topics, August 2022: How Eastern Europe is responding to Scholz's speech https://www.eurotopics.net/en/287488/

Lowy Institute: The Interpreter, 02/09/2022: A new solidarity? Olaf Scholz on the future of Europe https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/new-solidarity-olaf-scholz-on-the-future-europe

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