International Seminar:
Northern Europe in Europe’s new geopolitical context and its relations with the USA
77th Nordic Council Session
29 October 2025, Stockholm, Sweden
Speech by Theodoros Rousopoulos
President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
Distinguished colleagues,
I was born and raised in a world divided between East and West — a world where Europe was inseparably linked to America, and together they defended law and democracy through elections that gave everyone an equal voice.
A world where the Soviet Union was the visible threat to the West, where China, India — even Africa — seemed far away, and where life moved slowly, except for the fast pace of science and technology.
In that world, alliances and interests were clear. In such a world, Europe and the United States stood together — shaped by the experience of two wars, a shared culture, and the conviction that freedom is not a privilege of geography but a universal right. That transatlantic partnership built our prosperity, our institutions, and our sense of moral responsibility.
Yet today, the certainties of that era have disappeared. The world has changed.
It is no longer bipolar but multipolar, complex, and unpredictable. Russia has returned to aggression, China is rising, and technology — especially now with the use of Artificial Intelligence — is redefining power, knowledge, and even truth itself. These shifts challenge not only our security but the very essence of democracy.They also put the transatlantic relationship to the test, at the very moment when we need it most.
On the other side of the Atlantic, the new administration of the United States seems to approach major political problems only through the lenses of power and money. Military strength and economic advantage appear to have replaced values as the guiding principles of international policy. This creates unease and uncertainty.
But it also offers Europe a historic opportunity: to lead — to stand firm as the continent that reaffirms that principles, not possessions, define civilisation. We must hold fast to the principles that made the difference — no matter how rich in resources, minerals, or ammunition others may be.
Our strength has never been measured in tons or barrels, but in the force of our convictions. These convictions are rooted in the same values that gave meaning to post-war Europe: human dignity, expressed through democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
These are not words from the past; they are the moral compass of our future.
Let us see the example of Ukraine, which has united us all. Since the beginning of the Russian aggression, Europe and the United States have stood together, showing that when our principles are attacked, solidarity is stronger than fear.
Since April 2022, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which I have the honour to preside, has pursued an ambitious accountability agenda. We were the first to propose a comprehensive system to ensure that the Russian Federation is held responsible for all the wrongful acts it has committed in and against Ukraine.
These efforts have already produced tangible results: the Register of Damage for the victims of the war; the agreement to establish a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression; and, just last week, the Convention creating a Claims Commission was adopted by the Committee of Ministers.
The United States has been a meaningful and constructive partner throughout this process, helping to accelerate and strengthen these historic steps.
our task does not end there. Authoritarian regimes, disinformation, and the erosion of public trust now threaten democracy from within. The fight for freedom is no longer fought only on borders, but in the hearts and minds of our citizens.
The United States remains an observer state of our Organisation, and though the new administration may seem less eager to engage than in the past, we will continue to work closely with those in the U.S. administration and Congress who still believe in the principles that unite us.
Over the years, we have built a bridge between our Assembly and the U.S. Congress — a bridge founded on shared values, mutual respect, and a common vision of democracy. Through this bridge, we will continue to promote freedom of expression, judicial independence, equality, and the protection of minorities.
These are not abstract ideals; they are the foundation of accountable governance and peaceful coexistence.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Freedom is not inherited; it is earned every day. The transatlantic bond is not a relic of history; it is a responsibility. And democracy endures only when guided by conscience, not convenience.
Europe must now lead by example — firm in principles, confident in purpose, and faithful to the values that have long united both sides of the Atlantic. Because, in the end, what defines us is not what we own, but what we stand for.
And as long as we stand for human dignity, democracy, and the rule of law, we shall remain — together — a source of hope for the world.
Thank you.