Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the status quo in Europe: 70 years after Churchill’s call for a »United States of Europe«

In a speech at the University of Zurich on 19th September 1946, Britain’s legendary wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill made a plea which is now once again astonishingly topical: to banish the spectre of war, we need to build a »United States of Europe«.

Today, though, we seem to be moving further away from this goal. Germany’s Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has recognised this danger and he looks at Europe’s current crisis from a viewpoint which mirrors that of Churchill. The influx of refugees, Brexit and clashes within the EU must not be allowed to damage this unique symbol of peace. Steinmeier’s impassioned appeal shows how we can escape from the crisis, and sends a clear message in favour of a united Europe.

»This essay on Churchill’s Europe speech by Germany’s Foreign Minister has plenty of substance«
Cicero

»The German Foreign Minister has his say. Not quietly and diplomatically…, but with a text that can only be described as a heartfelt plea.«
taz

»The Foreign Minister shows his ambition in a confrontational style. This new book, Europe is the solution, which looks back at Churchill’s famous speech, is proof of this. He confronts readers with the new reality«
Tagesspiegel