On November 29, 2025, CEA’s President, Igor Šlosar, gave a speech during the conference of the Centre-Right European Association of Students, chaired by Thomas Bøgh
Rasmussen.
CREAS is a European organization advocating for Christian-democratic, conservative, and liberal political programmes among European students and young people. Our Centre for Public Policy and Economic Analysis (CEA) shares such centre-right policies and values.
Igor Šlosar:
My friends, Europe stands at a crossroads. We have heard this warning many times before, but today it is no longer a distant echo — it is reality knocking at our door. The time has finally come. In the next three, perhaps four years, Europe will pass the point of no return. If we fail to act now, global competitors will surge far ahead, leaving us behind, beyond our reach, beyond our influence.
For decades, Europe has had it good. We enjoyed peace, prosperity, and the luxury of believing that history had ended—that our way of life was secure, that our place in the world was guaranteed. But that time is over. A new era has dawned, one where we must prove ourselves again. We must earn the respect of our global partners and adversaries alike—not through words, but through strength, conviction, and action.
This is not a matter of abstract policy—it is a matter of survival. America and Asia are racing forward with innovation, strength, and confidence, while Europe risks drowning in bureaucracy, indecision, and ideological burdens. If we do not rise to meet this moment, our industries will falter, our youth will lose hope, and our continent will lose its voice in the world.
We must be clear: the choices we make today will decide whether Europe remains a proud, free, and competitive civilization—or whether it becomes a museum of past glories, admired but irrelevant. The urgency is real, the timeline is short, and the responsibility rests with us. As I said, our challenges are numerous.
First, the war in Ukraine reminds us daily that freedom is fragile. Aggression on our borders is not a distant problem—it is a direct assault on the sovereignty of nations and the dignity of our people. If Europe fails to act with strength, we risk losing not only territory but the very principle that liberty must be defended.
Second, illegal migration and the erosion of cultural cohesion threaten the soul of our continent. Without controlled borders and strong integration, Europe risks becoming a place where identity dissolves and community fractures. We reject the false promises of unconditional globalist multiculturalism. Instead, we affirm Europe rooted in Christian values, where newcomers respect our traditions and contribute to the common good. And let us be clear: Europe must also be a continent that cares deeply about the plight of persecuted Christians, wherever they may suffer, and stands as their voice in the world.
Third, transatlantic uncertainty challenges our place in the world. We must never stop building stronger partnership ties with the United States. That means Europe must be strong, competitive, and confident in its heritage. Only then will our partnership be based on freedom and trust, not weakness and dependency. And in this spirit, Europe must also stand firm in supporting the State of Israel as a democratic ally in a turbulent region.
Finally, the competitiveness gap is widening. Excessive regulation, ideological burdens, and bureaucratic overreach are suffocating our industries. If Europe cannot compete, Europe cannot prosper. And if Europe cannot prosper, Europe cannot remain free. We must unleash innovation, empower entrepreneurs, and restore the strength of our economies. And let us also show courage on the global stage: Europe must be ready to recognize Taiwan’s independence, affirming our commitment to freedom and self-determination everywhere.
We stand here today united in purpose. United in values. United in vision.
Together with the Centre Right European Association of Students, we at the Croatian Centre for Public Policy and Economic Analysis affirm our compatibility. We fight for conservative, conservative liberal, and Christian Democratic values. We defend freedom, responsibility, and tradition as the pillars of Europe’s future.
As CEA, we have carried this mission for years in Croatia and beyond. We have stood for natural rights and individual liberty, for religious and economic freedom, and for the defense of democracy against disinformation and hostile influence. We have advanced reforms through projects like Croatia 2025, promoted law and order, and argued for safe, controlled immigration rooted in cultural integration.
Our intellectual heritage is clear: Western Judeo-Christian values, the Scottish Enlightenment, and the American Declaration of Independence. These are not abstract ideals—they are the foundation of a Europe that must be strong, competitive, and free. And it is precisely this foundation that makes our friendship with CREAS not only natural but necessary. Together, we unite youthful energy with seasoned expertise, ensuring that ideas become action and vision becomes reality.
We say clearly: Brussels must be limited. Industry must be freed. Regulation must be cut. The overbearing climate bureaucracy and ESG-driven ideology must be rejected. Europe must breathe again. Europe must compete again.
And we know this:
- Europe must stand shoulder to shoulder with America. Transatlantic ties must be built on freedom and trust.
- Immigration must be limited and controlled. Integration must be strong and real.
- No more Marxist-style, unconditional globalist multiculturalism. Instead, a Europe confident in its identity, open to cooperation, and proud of its heritage.
This is our promise: a stronger Europe, a freer Europe, a more prosperous Europe. A Europe worthy of its heritage. A Europe prepared for its future.
