At the Munich Security Conference, Chancellor’s Office Minister Thorsten Frei (CDU) cautioned against slipping back into old comforts. “Unlike 25 years ago, no one will say, ‘We’re surrounded by friends.’ Hard‑power politics is returning, and it carries an oppressive potential that can intrude on every person’s private life-war and peace are at stake” Frei told the “Rheinische Post”.
Frei also reflected on the state of the last eight decades. “We have enjoyed 80 years of peace, freedom and prosperity. For three generations we’ve built something remarkable – a unique chapter in history that, in previous eras, simply didn’t exist”. Yet he remains confident that transatlantic ties will endure even after remarks by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. “As the world’s third‑largest economy, we, together with our European partners, have the means and the capacity to forge a partnership on equal footing” Frei said. “That is exactly why the U.S. Secretary pressed this point. Transatlantic relations may evolve, but they will stay close and multifaceted”.
At the same time, Frei highlighted the importance of sovereign states, especially in security matters. “National states play a central role in security policy” he explained. “One must be careful not to over‑debate structures in these turbulent times”. He noted that after taking office, Friedrich Merz proactively reached out to France, Poland, Italy and the United Kingdom. “A credible European security architecture also requires the involvement of Britain” Frei added, underscoring the role of the EU in the broader security landscape.
