In a world increasingly riven by division and instability, the EU faces multiple challenges, not least in terms of security, Świeboda agreed. Highlighting that increased defense spending within the bloc had seen around 80% going on U.S.-produced weaponry, he said Europe needs to “make sure that it has the means to equip itself and its armies, and this means investing in European defense.”

He pointed out that the Polish presidency of the European Council, which starts on January 1, is actively involved in the creation of a defense fund that may be worth up to €500 billion.

“This fund would invest in arms made in Europe because [...] there are not enough supplies of European arms,” he said. “The European defense industry is not in such a great shape.”

Politically too, the EU needs to “build whatever coalitions are feasible” over the coming years due to the divisions within the bloc, particularly over Russia, Świeboda commented.

“Waiting for everybody to follow the line is not going to happen,” he said. “And that has to be accepted.”

With the prospect of U.S. trade tariffs and increased export pressure from China, Europe needs to streamline its bureaucracy and foster innovation, Świeboda argued, including by making more start-up funding available.

He said in this respect, Europe could learn from the success of Elon Musk, which he pointed out came largely from government contracts.