Europe must unite to face challenges from China, Russia and US, Merkel says

German chancellor says 'simply pointing to seven decades of peace is no longer enough to justify Europe'

Angela Merkel was speaking ahead of the European parliament elections held between 23-26 May (AP/Michael Sohn)

Europe must “reposition itself” to face challenges from China, Russia and the United States, German chancellor Angela Merkel has said.

Ms Merkel told Germany’s daily Seuddeutsche Zeitung that “simply pointing to seven decades of peace is no longer enough to justify the European project”.

Speaking ahead of the European parliament elections held between 23-26 May, Ms Merkel said there is “no doubt that Europe needs to reposition itself in a changed world,” in which some post-Second World War certainties no longer hold.

“They [China, Russia and the US] are forcing us, time and again, to find common positions,” Ms Merkel said.

“This is often difficult given our different interests. But we do get this done, think, for example, of our policy regarding the conflict in Ukraine.”

Europe appears weak in the standoff over Iran, Ms Merkel acknowledged, because it struggles to counter US sanctions as it attempts to salvage the nuclear deal with Tehran.

Tensions have escalated over the year since Donald Trump pulled the US out of Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers and enforced heavy sanctions to cripple the country’s economy.

Last week, Washington said it had detected urgent threats from Iran and its proxy forces in the region and deployed an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Gulf.

On Wednesday, the US State Department ordered all non-emergency staff to leave neighbouring Iraq and Germany and the Netherlands both suspended military training operations in the country.

“Germany, France and Britain are taking a different approach from the US on the question of the Iran agreement,” Ms Merkel was quoted as saying.

“For all our other differences, we even have common interests here with Russia and China.”

She added: “That Europe is no longer divided on this important question as it was in the Iraq war is a value in itself.” Germany and France opposed the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, while countries including Britain and Poland supported Washington.

However, she added that Europe has a “realistic” assessment of its capabilities and “must strengthen them for the future”. She said it is making good progress on defence cooperation.

Asked what effect global challenges from China, Russia and the US are having on Europe, Ms Merkel said they are making the EU find common positions, which is often difficult “but we succeed” — for instance in policy on Ukraine and Africa.

She conceded that “our political strength doesn’t yet match our economic capabilities”.

Populist parties are expected to be boosted in next week’s EU elections at the expense of the political centre.

Asked how much populism the 28-nation EU can take before it collapses, Ms Merkel said “this is indeed a time when we have to fight for our principles and fundamental values”.

European leaders will decide “how far to let populism go, or whether we ultimately have the will to take on joint responsibility”. “So far, we have always managed to do so,” she added.

So as not to endanger Europe, she said, “everyone needs to put themselves in others’ shoes, to be willing to compromise, remain honest and always treat each other carefully”.