"2024 is the year of risks"

As Goerens' interview took place not long before the Ukraine aid summit in Brussels on Thursday, the MEP immediately opted to address the topic, saying there was a clear and urgent need to find a solution. He told RTL that under no circumstances could the EU abandon Ukraine, despite Hungary's objections, and that the European Union could not allow itself to be blocked by a single state.

Goerens expressed a desire for a unanimous solution and hoped that European leaders would be able to convince Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to sign off on the aid package.

Fortunately, this would prove to be the case, as all 27 EU leaders agreed a deal to provide 50 million euros in support to Ukraine at Thursday's summit.

"2024 is the year of risks"

Goerens said 2024 would bring all manner of risks, with ongoing conflicts exacerbated by other events such as the presidential elections in the United States this November. If Donald Trump should succeed in his bid for a second term, the MEP told RTL it could be possible for the US to pull back military support for Ukraine, which would have repercussions around the world.

He said it was important to note that Russian president Vladimir Putin aspires to a new world order, meaning that if Russia were to dominate Ukraine, there would be an imminent danger to NATO countries.

"We need a vision, we need to know what it is we want. If we look at what we've achieved in 50 years, I hope we don't fail and appear as the last fools facing history."

German protests "exemplary"

Goerens praised the crowds of protesters taking to the streets in Germany to march against right-wing extremism, calling them "exemplary". Such mobilisation should be encouraged across the EU, he added. The Liberal MEP said he was in favour of a "cordon sanitaire" in politics, to prevent collaboration with parties defending racist or nationalist principles.

"You cannot block a dialogue within the institutions, but we must try to isolate from the exterior. That means not engaging in other activities with them outside of the necessary interactions in terms of work, in terms of institutionally planned activities."

Goerens has made it clear that he does not believe in forming coalitions with such parties. In addition to establishing a clear position, he said it was important to ensure all facts were out in the open, citing the recent investigation in Germany which showed that several AfD political leaders had met figures from the far right, thus underlining the importance of investigative journalism.

On freezing UNRWA aid

"It's good that an investigation has been opened, but I don't think it's a good thing to freeze financial aid before the results have been declared," commented Goerens in response to the news that a number of countries, including the UK, Canada and the European Union, had suspended funding to the agency responsible for supporting Palestinian refugees. The investigation was launched following Israeli claims that several UNRWA employees could be linked to Hamas.

Luxembourg, for its part, announced this week that it will continue sending financial aid as planned.

Two major challenges await European elections

The two major challenges forming the backdrop for the upcoming European elections will be the Ukrainian conflict and the functioning of the European Union, says Goerens. In order for the EU to remain affected, he said the Treaty would need to be amended, "and by this I mean unanimity will have to be removed in most cases."

Ten countries have signalled their desire to join the Union, but the EU is not ready, Goerens said. Adjustments would be needed in order to grant membership to these applicants, otherwise the EU risks losing its ability to function.

When asked if he intended to stand as a DP candidate in the June elections, the MEP said he would not only stand as a candidate, but that the party had also tasked him with putting together the list of potential MEPs. Candidates are currently being assembled, as Luxembourg will send six MEPs to Brussels following the June vote.