End of 'Peace Dividend': Europe Must Build New Order, Says Buzek

As Rzeczpospolita, we covered the European Economic Congress in Katowice, where a stark assessment of the global landscape was presented. Former Polish Prime Minister and Member of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, declared the end of the 'extraordinary peace dividend' and the dawn of an era defined by 'managed chaos.' This signifies a fundamental shift away from a rule-based international order towards a more unpredictable global environment.

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Musimy nauczyć się żyć w zupełnie innym świecie. Koniec niezwykłej dywidendy pokoju

Buzek's address underscored a critical message for Poland and all of Europe: the need to adapt to this new reality. He stressed that individual European nations are relatively small on the global stage and that true strength and agency lie within the European Union. Poland, he noted, is uniquely positioned to leverage its strong EU membership with active leadership in key areas like security and energy, demonstrating an ability to build broad coalitions for initiatives such as the 'Secure Baltic' concept.

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Epoka porządku opartego na regułach została zastąpiona epoką zarządzanego chaosu. Świat zmienia się niemal codziennie

The congress emphasized that the old global order is unlikely to return. Instead, the focus must be on building resilience and fostering multilateral agreements. Buzek drew a parallel to the pre-World War I era, suggesting that Europe must now stand more firmly on its own feet, even while maintaining alliances with the United States. This call for greater European self-reliance is a recurring theme in our coverage, reflecting a growing sentiment that the continent must secure its own future.

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Wyłącznie udział w strukturach Unii Europejskiej daje nam siłę i możliwości sprawcze.

Furthermore, the congress highlighted that national sovereignty in this new era is forged not through political rallies but through economic strength. Energy security, industrial production, and indigenous technologies are identified as the cornerstones of a nation's power. The need for affordable and accessible energy was repeatedly stressed, as it is not only essential for economic development but also a critical tool for building national resilience and independence. This perspective resonates deeply within Poland, given our recent experiences with energy diversification and security.

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Polska łączy silną pozycję w Unii Europejskiej z aktywnym przywództwem w konkretnych obszarach, w bezpieczeństwie i energetyce