Bienvenue à Lund Président Macron!

It is not every day that world leaders and royalty grace Lund with their presence; however, Lund University frequently serves as a magnet drawing in such distinguished people to engage with students. On Wednesday, the last day of January 2024, our Europe Direct Lund interns managed to attend the event featuring French President Macron. This reportage further features their firsthand perception and reflections on the occasion.

Security, managed by the police and SÄPO, was robust, implementing various checks to ensure the safety of the high-ranking guests and incoming students. Despite these precautions, the air was filled with joy and excitement, creating an atmosphere fitting for such a unique gathering at the heart of Lund University. While awaiting the guests, hosts provided entertainment for students giving insights in some important aspects of the French tongue as well as displayed the language beauty by singing some traditional French songs such as Les Champs-Elysées, Frère Jacques and undoubtedly La Marseillaise.
The evening exuded a sense of celebration of Macron. Despite the presence of the Swedish Royal Couple, all eyes were on the French president. It truly seemed to be his night. However, the late arrival limited the opportunity for interaction with other distinguished guests who graced the occasion. Slight delay forced to cut short the programme of the evening. Yet, students still could ask their questions directly to the French president, who kindly agreed to host the event in English instead of French to facilitate the understanding for everyone.

A sovereign Europe

On his first day to visit, president Macron and the prime minister Kristersson signed a renewed strategic innovation partnership declaration. During Studentafton Macron mentioned that this very agreement is the core for Europe in order for it to be more sovereign and more secure. President Macron reiterated that it is important to establish a sovereign Europe which is based on three premises: defence, research & science and energy security. French president pointed out that the increase of ammunition production is necessary to fill the stocks of European armies and to help Ukrainian friends. He emphasised the importance of technology and emergence of Europe-based technologies as the foundation for a truly sovereign Europe which shall not be dependent on China or the United States. This way Europe will be able to take back control, thus creating key technologies is required. When speaking about energy security, president Macron emphasised the importance of electrification of all the uses, getting rid of the fossil fuels and summarised his views in three key words: efficient energy, renewable energy and nuclear energy.

"Our treasure"

Then students were able to ask three questions, which president answered altogether. Mainly, the French President established the narrative about strong and sovereign Europe and that the EU is the unique project which we all must cherish as it is “our treasure”.
- A war is not an abstraction. Thanks to the European Union we had peace for seven decades. Macron made quite fascinating point that Europe has experienced only civil wars. He said that these civil wars are the key specialty of Europe. However, he reasoned further that thanks to mutualising the key elements of war such as steel, aluminium and coal as well as progressively everything, countries that united in this unique project, achieved such a long period of peace. He concluded with the point that there is no as sophisticated project as the European Union, and even though it is a result of our mutual mistakes, we must cherish this treasure now.

Answering the question about the future relations with Russia, French president regretted that Europe has not established sufficient architecture of security with Russia since 1990s. However, he pointed out, even when Ukraine wins, Russia will still be there — on the European Eastern flank and that Europe will need to deal with it somehow. Macron suggested possible measures that shall be implemented to prevent another war in Europe in the future, such as set of guarantees in terms of security, arms monitoring and control by Europeans, no puppet countries and no threats to European democracy.

We could notice several major points which French president laid in the basis of this evening. He successfully established positive feelings about new European energy policy, instilled the feeling of Europe, or rather the European Union, as the single entity, which must become sovereign and non-dependant on other big powers in the world. Him mentioning that Europe has experiences only civil wars, he tried to convince the audience that those interstate wars are now perceived as just civil wars among one European nation. To crown it all, the final message was that despite our differences we should act as one entity to defend our values and the way we, Europeans, live.