On the third day of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, a debate was held as part of the “This Is Europe” series, featuring Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo. PiS MEP Zdzisław Krasnodębski took the floor during the discussion.
Professor Zdzisław Krasnodębski reported that during last week’s ECR Group study days in Helsinki, where talks were held with politicians and experts, he was able to see for himself how realistically the Finns, led by the current government, approach the issues of border protection, migration, defense, and the threat posed by Russia.
The MEP noted that Finland was right to maintain compulsory military service at a time when most European countries had already abolished it—a decision that turned out to be a mistake. “Today, we need a realistic defense policy in Europe. That is, one that strengthens, rather than weakens, NATO. A policy that strengthens, rather than weakens, member states and the patriotism of their citizens—not with pipe dreams of a European army or the creation of a European state,” the Polish politician emphasized. He also added that he was pleased to hear the Finnish prime minister’s thoroughly realistic speech and expressed hope that the European Parliament would move in this direction during its next term.
