Antonios Nestoras on Euronews: Geopolitics, China, and Calm in the Digital Storm
25/06/2025 · 4 min read
Appearing on “Brussels, My Love?” — the Euronews current affairs show that tackles the EU’s most pressing dilemmas — Antonios Nestoras, Founder and Director of the European Policy Innovation Council (EPIC), joined host Maria Psara alongside journalist Maria Aroni and EMI Secretary General Petros Fassoulas for a roundtable on geopolitics, tech regulation, and Europe’s global role.
With the Middle East once again at a breaking point — following Israel’s strike on Iran and the intensifying assault on Gaza — the panel examined whether the EU is still capable of playing a stabilizing role in the region. Thousands of Europeans have taken to the streets to protest the humanitarian crisis, while Brussels struggles to speak with one voice.
Nestoras was direct:
“We cannot have three European powers going at it alone every time a geopolitical crisis hits. This so-called E3 initiative is, in effect, a cancellation of the European idea. What we need is a unified, strategic Europe — not fragmented foreign policies.”
The discussion then shifted to China, where the EU is preparing a high-level summit this summer to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations. But with transatlantic relations under strain and China–US ties at historic lows, the meeting comes with heavy geopolitical baggage.
“China can be neither a friend nor a foe for Europe,” Nestoras argued. “The problem is structural. Our dependence on China for trade and manufacturing has created an asymmetric relationship. We have no leverage over Beijing’s foreign policy — and this might be acceptable in times of peace. But if something happens in Taiwan, for example, Europe won’t have a coherent or credible response.”
Finally, the panel tackled the French proposal to ban social media for minors under 15 — a move championed by President Emmanuel Macron. The idea has sparked heated debate across Europe.
Nestoras called for balanced thinking:
“Yes, we can decide as a society what the right age is to engage with digital platforms. But right now, there’s a widespread sense of panic. Parents feel overwhelmed by threats and risks. My message is: stay calm. We already have the tech tools to protect children online without cutting them off from the digital world.”
From the Middle East to Beijing to the living rooms of Europe’s digital generation, the message from EPIC is consistent: Europe must act strategically, communicate clearly, and rebuild trust — both in global affairs and at home.
Watch the full episode here: euronews.com – Brussels, My Love?
