Arancha Gonzalez Laya, a former foreign minister of Spain and currently the dean of the School of International Affairs at Sciences Po Paris, will appear as a guest on RFI, a French public radio station, on September 16, 2026. During her appearance, she will discuss the upcoming speech by the president of the European Commission, which is expected to outline the state of the European Union. Gonzalez Laya is hoping for a forward-looking address that emphasizes Europe's role in shaping its own destiny. Gonzalez Laya has long been a prominent voice in European politics and international relations. Her career has spanned both national and international arenas, and she has often spoken about the importance of European unity and independence in global affairs. As the European Union faces complex challenges, including economic pressures and geopolitical tensions, her insights are expected to be particularly relevant. In recent years, concerns have grown about Europe's increasing economic and strategic dependence on both China and Russia. Gonzalez Laya has warned that without a strong, unified European policy, the continent risks becoming a "vassal" to these powers—meaning it could lose its autonomy in decision-making and be influenced by external forces. She has called for a renewed sense of European identity and purpose to counter these threats. Her upcoming comments on the European Commission president's speech will likely focus on the need for a vision that looks beyond current challenges and sets the stage for a more independent and resilient Europe. As the EU continues to navigate a rapidly changing global landscape, her perspective will be one of many shaping the debate on Europe's future direction.