Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said that choices are the hinges of fate. In a world full of adversity, Europe's fate depends on what we do next. Despite the very important things we have done and overcome, Europe now faces a clear choice. A choice that will shape our work for 5 years and define our place in the world for the next 50 years. The choice comes down to whether we will be shaped by events and the world around us or whether we will come together and build our future for ourselves. ourselves. This choice is ours. Europe cannot control tyrants and demagogues around the world, but it can choose to protect its democracy. Europe cannot determine the date of elections around the world, but it can choose to invest in security and defense on its continent. Europe cannot stop change, but it can choose to embrace it by investing in a new era of prosperity and improving our quality of life. She added in a statement to the European Parliament to obtain the confidence of members to assume her position for a new term But, honorable members, in order to choose the Europe of tomorrow, we must acknowledge what people feel today. We are going through a period of deep anxiety and uncertainty for Europeans. Families feel the pain of the high cost of living and housing. Young people are concerned about the planet, their future, and the possibility of war. Businesses and farmers are feeling the pressure. All of this is a symptom of a world in which everything is weaponized and contested. There is a clear attempt to divide and polarize our societies. I am deeply concerned about these trends. But I am convinced that Europe - a strong Europe - is capable of rising to the challenge. That is why I ask for your trust today. Because, just like you, I entered politics to make a difference for the entire community and bring it forward to the generation of my children and grandchildren, as those who came before us did. I am fully convinced that the version of Europe since the end of World War II, with all its flaws and disparities, is still the best version in history. I will never stand by and watch it be torn apart, inside or out. I will never allow the extreme polarization in our societies to become acceptable. I will never accept that demagogues and extremists destroy our European way of life. I stand here today ready to lead this battle with all the democratic forces here in this Council. This is the vision I set out in my policy guidelines. A vision of a stronger Europe that delivers prosperity, protects people and defends democracy. A stronger Europe provides social justice and supports people. A stronger Europe implements what it agrees on in a fair manner. This adheres to the objectives of the European Green Deal with pragmatism, technology neutrality and innovation. I have listened carefully to the democratic forces in this Parliament and I am convinced that these guiding principles reflect how much we have in common, despite our differences, which is healthy in any democracy and our first priority will be prosperity and competitiveness. In the past five years, we have weathered the worst storm in the economic history of our Union. We have emerged from the shock of lockdowns stronger, and have overcome an unprecedented energy crisis. We did it together, and I think we can be proud of that. But we also know that our competitiveness needs to be significantly enhanced. The fundamentals of the global economy are changing. Those who stand still will be left behind. Those who cannot compete will be dependent. The race is on and I want Europe to change. This starts with making business easier and faster. We need to deepen our single market across the board. We need less reporting, less bureaucracy, more trust, better enforcement, and faster permits. I will make sure we are accountable for that. Because only what is measured gets implemented. Therefore, I will task each commissioner to dig deeper into their portfolio and work concretely to reduce the burdens. I will appoint a Vice-President to coordinate this work and report on progress to this Council once a year. I will also provide a renewed examination of SMEs and competitiveness as part of our better regulation toolkit. We all know that there is no Europe without SMEs. They are the heart of our economy. So, let's get rid of the burdensome micromanagement, and give them more confidence and better incentives. Let me give you some numbers. Let's start: In the first half of this year, 50% of our electricity generation came from renewable energy sources – locally generated and clean. Investments in clean technologies in Europe have more than tripled under this mandate. We are attracting more investment in clean hydrogen than the United States and China combined. Finally, in recent years, we have concluded with global partners 35 new agreements on clean technology, hydrogen and bio-raw materials. This is the European Green Deal in action. So I want to be clear. We will continue with the new growth strategy and targets we have set for 2030 and 2050. Our focus will now be on implementation and investment to make this a reality. That's why I'll be rolling out a new clean industrial deal in the first 100 days. It will direct investment in infrastructure and industry, especially in energy-intensive sectors. This will help create leading markets in everything from clean steel to clean technology, and will accelerate planning, tendering and licensing. We must be faster and simpler. Because Europe is working to decarbonize and industrialize At the same time. Our companies need predictability for their investments and innovations. And yes, they can count on us. By this logic, we will enshrine our 90% target for 2040 into European climate law. Our companies need to plan their investments for the next decade already today. This is not just about work. For our youth, the years 2030, 2040, 2050 are just around the corner. They know that we must reconcile climate protection with a thriving economy. They will never forgive us if we do not rise to the challenge. Thus, it is not only a matter of competitiveness, but also a matter of intergenerational justice. Young people deserve it. The New Clean Industrial Deal will also help lower energy bills. We all know that structurally high energy prices hinder our competitiveness. High energy bills are a major driver of people's energy poverty. I have not forgotten how Putin blackmailed us by cutting off Russian fossil fuels. But we stuck together. We have invested heavily in cheap, domestic renewable energy sources. This has enabled us to break free from dirty Russian fossil fuels. Therefore, we will work together to ensure that the era of Russian fossil fuel dependence ends. Once and for all. Europe needs more investment, from agriculture to industry, from digital technologies to strategic technologies, but it also needs more investment in people and their skills. This mandate must be time to invest. This starts with completing capital markets union and mobilizing more private finance. Every year, €300 billion of European household savings goes from Europe to foreign markets, because our capital market is highly fragmented. This money is then often used to buy innovative European companies from abroad. This must change. We need to leverage this enormous wealth to grow here in Europe. That is why we propose the creation of a European Savings and Investment Union. European start-ups should not look to the United States or Asia to finance their expansion. They must find what they need to thrive here in Europe. We need a deep and liquid capital market. We need competition policy that supports companies to expand. Europe must be a home of opportunity and innovation.
To unleash private investment, we also need public financing. Yes, we have the resources in NextGenerationEU and the current budget. But this will end within the next few years. While our investment needs will not. We need more investment capacity. Our new budget will be strengthened. It must be more policy focused, simpler for Member States and more impactful, so that we can use its power to mobilize more private and public financing. I will propose the creation of a new European Competitiveness Fund. It will focus on joint and cross-border European projects that will drive competitiveness and innovation – particularly in support of the Clean Industrial Deal. It will ensure that our strategic technology is developed and manufactured here in Europe. So, from artificial intelligence to clean technology, the future of our prosperity must be made in Europe. We must also invest more in our security and defence. Russia remains on the offensive in eastern Ukraine. They are counting on a war of attrition to make the coming winter harsher than the previous one. Russia depends on the decline of Europe and the West. And some in Europe are playing along. Two weeks ago, the EU Prime Minister went to Moscow. The so-called peace mission was nothing but a mission of appeasement. Just two days later, Putin's planes directed their missiles at a children's hospital and a maternity ward in Kiev. We've all seen the images of bloodied children and mothers trying to get young cancer patients to safety. That hit wasn't a mistake. It was a message. A chilling message from the Kremlin to all of us. So, honorable members, our answer must be equally clear. No one wants peace more than the people of Ukraine. Just and lasting peace for a free and independent state. Europe will stand by Ukraine no matter how long it takes.
We must give Ukraine everything it needs to resist and win. This means making fundamental choices for our future. For the first time in decades, our freedom is under threat. It is our responsibility to do everything necessary to protect our European citizens. Protecting Europe is Europe's duty. I believe that the time has come to build a real European defense union. Yes, I know there are some people who may not be comfortable with this idea. But what we should be comfortable with are the threats to our security. Let us be clear: Member States will retain responsibility for their national security and militaries. NATO will remain the pillar of our collective defence. But we all know very well that our defense spending is very low and ineffective. Our external spending is very large. We must therefore create a single market for defence. We must invest more in advanced defense capabilities. In other words, Europe must continue on the path charted by the Versailles Declaration. We need to invest more. We need to invest together. We must establish joint European projects. For example, a comprehensive air defense system - the European Air Shield, not only to protect our airspace but as a powerful symbol of European unity in defense matters.
Security is not just about external threats. Cyber ​​and hybrid threats are increasing. Organized criminal networks are infiltrating our economy; Most of them use corruption. They cause fear and death of innocent people with their brutal violence. They make huge amounts of money from drug trafficking, ransomware, fraud, and human trafficking They are not limited to national borders. It is essential that we respond to this growing threat at the European level. We must ensure that the police are able to operate across Europe without borders. That is why I will propose doubling the number of employees at Europol and strengthening its powers. I want Europol to become a real operational police agency.
We must also do more to secure our external borders. Our eastern borders in particular have become the target of hybrid attacks and provocations. Russia lures migrants from Yemen to the north and deliberately pushes them towards the Finnish border. We must always keep in mind that Member State borders are European borders. We will do everything we can to make them stronger. This is part of the reason why Frontex must be strengthened. To make it more effective, with full respect for fundamental rights, I will propose tripling the number of European border and coast guards to thirty thousand soldiers.
More secure borders would also help us manage migration in a more orderly and fair way. The Migration and Asylum Pact represents a major step forward. We put solidarity at the heart of our common response. Migration challenges need a European response with a fair and firm approach based on our values. Always remember that immigrants are human beings like you and me. We are all protected by human rights. Many pessimists believed that immigration was too divisive to agree on. But we proved them wrong. Together we made it happen. We have come out of it stronger. Now, we must collectively focus on implementation and on supporting Member States in making it a reality on the ground. And there will be more to do. We need a common approach to returns, to make them more effective and dignified. We need to develop our comprehensive partnerships, especially across our southern neighbourhood. The Mediterranean region must receive full attention. That is why I will appoint a commissioner for the region, and propose a new agenda for the Mediterranean with Kaja Kallas. Because the future of both sides of the Mediterranean is the same.
Our region is home to our future. Inviting countries to join our Union is a moral, historical and political responsibility. It is a huge geostrategic responsibility for Europe. Because in today's world, a greater union will be a stronger union. It will strengthen our voice in the world. It will help reduce our dependencies. It will ensure the spread of democracy, prosperity and stability throughout Europe. We will support candidates by working on investment and reforms and integrating them where we can into our legal frameworks. Joining will always be a merit-based process. We will make sure that all countries are ready before joining. But completing our union is also in our fundamental interest. This will be a key priority for my Committee. History is calling again. The Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have made their free choice. They chose freedom rather than oppression. They chose democracy over subordination. Some of them pay a high price for this choice. So, we must make our choice and demonstrate unwavering commitment. Their future will be free and prosperous within our Union.
Europe has a responsibility to play an active role in the world, starting with our neighbors and especially in the Middle East. I want to be clear: the bloodshed in Gaza must stop now. Many children, women and civilians have lost their lives as a result of Israel's response to Hamas' brutal terrorism. The people of Gaza cannot bear any more. Humanity cannot bear that. We need an immediate and permanent ceasefire. We need to release the Israeli hostages. We have to prepare for the next day. Europe must play its role. We have significantly increased our humanitarian aid to nearly €200 million in 2024. And we will do more. We are now working on a much larger, multi-year package to support an effective Palestinian Authority. The two-state solution is the best way to ensure security for Israelis and Palestinians. The peoples of the Middle East deserve peace, security and prosperity. Europe will be on their side.
Europe offers a unique quality of life. From comprehensive social security to first-class regional food products. The turnip fields, vineyards and fruit orchards not only mean good food and drink, they are also part of our homeland. That is why the future of agriculture is an important and sensitive issue for us in Europe. We must overcome differences and find good solutions in cooperation with all stakeholders. That is why I launched the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of Agriculture in Europe. It brings farmers, environmental groups and experts from across the food chain to the table. I promised to listen to them carefully and learn from them. And I will do it. I will take into account the good recommendations and present a new European strategy for our agriculture and food sector. I will make sure that farmers get a fair income. No one should be forced to sell good food for less than production costs. We must strengthen the position of our farmers in the food industry value chain. We need smarter incentives, more innovation and access to capital. Anyone who manages nature and biodiversity in a sustainable way and helps balance the carbon budget should be rewarded appropriately. Our farmers shape our landscapes. They are the face of Europe. They are part of our culture. They provide food security. We are proud of them.
That's why we must work together to address the problems they face. They feel climate change. Every year, they are more and more affected by extreme weather and water scarcity. Temperatures in Europe are rising twice as fast as the global average. We are already seeing the devastating effects on fields and forests. The face of our rural communities is changing. And we must More to ensure our farmers are better prepared for what climate change has in store for us. That is why I will present an agriculture plan to address the need to adapt to climate change, and in parallel, I will present a strategy for sustainable management of this precious water resource. Our food security depends not only on this, but also on our competitiveness in general.
Our quality of life and our social fabric are unique. We have made historic steps forward on our pillar of social rights – from the minimum wage to the first-ever child guarantee. During the pandemic, we saved 40 million jobs with SURE. We can be proud of that. But many new challenges have emerged – from the impact of artificial intelligence to mental health at work and new drivers of poverty. We need a new action plan to implement the pillar. We must ensure fair transitions and good working conditions for workers and the self-employed. Crucial to this end is social dialogue – the hallmark of our social market economy. Therefore, we will work to increase collective bargaining and strengthen European social dialogue. We will address those issues that Europeans feel most in their daily lives. Take housing. Europe is facing a housing crisis, with people of all ages and families of all sizes affected. Prices and rents are rising. People are struggling to find affordable homes. That is why, for the first time, I will appoint a Commissioner with direct responsibility for housing. We will develop a European plan for affordable housing, to consider all the drivers of the crisis and to help unleash the necessary private and public investment. Usually, housing is not seen as a European issue. Some might say we shouldn't get involved. But I want this committee to support people in the areas that matter most. If it matters to Europeans, it matters to Europe.
This is how we can strengthen our community. This means ensuring every region in every part of Europe is supported. No one is left behind. I am committed to a strong cohesion policy, designed in cooperation with regions and local authorities. I want Europe to be the best place to grow up in, the best place to grow up in. We must empower young people to make the most of Europe's freedoms, from a stronger Erasmus+ program to more citizen participation. But we must also do more to protect young people. The childhood and teenage years are a time when our personality is formed, our personality develops, and our brain is shaped by stimuli and emotions. This is a time of amazing development but also a time of real vulnerability. We are seeing more and more reports of what some are calling a mental health crisis. We need to get to the bottom of this. I think social media, excessive screen time, and addictive practices have played their part. My heart bleeds when I read about young people harming themselves or even taking their lives due to online abuse. I think about those last moments and the pain they felt. I think about their parents and friends. This is devastating. We can never accept this in our society. We will tackle the scourge of cyberbullying. We will take action against the addictive design of some platforms. We will hold the first ever European-wide investigation into the impact of social media on young people's wellbeing. We owe them. We will not rest until we get them right.
One of the most fundamental choices we face is what kind of society we want for our children and grandchildren. In particular to our daughters and granddaughters. On women's rights, together we have achieved the unthinkable, thanks to the incredible solidarity in this Council of European Democracy, across party lines. After ten years of struggle, we have repealed the ban on women's board directives. We've made huge progress on pay transparency – and there's no reason why women should be paid less than men for the same work. But there is still a lot to do. Stop the escalation of violence against women. Balancing care and career, not only for women, but women are the most affected. Closing the pay and pension gap. It is no coincidence that poverty in old age has a female face. There is so much to do. So let's work together to create a roadmap for women's rights. Let's keep moving forward. If not now then when?
Dear members,
Democracy is our common treasure. It is the forum in which we can express our differences and disagreements. It is as vital as it is fragile. For too long, we've taken that for granted. We have become democrats of convenience. But today our democracies are under threat. For more than two years, Russia has been waging a relentless war on European soil, in Ukraine. Across the EU and within our institutions, our services and journalists – whose work I would like to pay tribute to here – have been exposing instances of espionage, cyber-attacks, corruption and disinformation by foreign actors, especially the Russians and Chinese. The threat level and level of hybrid attacks have not been this high in decades. We at the Committee are well aware of this, and have been taking responsible action for several years. A major analysis has been conducted and the first effective tools have been published, in close cooperation with Member States. But we must go further. We must prevent hostile foreign actors from interfering in, undermining, and ultimately destroying our democratic processes. To do this, we must take strong measures at European level.
If you give me your confidence today, the Commission will propose the creation of a European Democracy Shield. The European Union needs its own dedicated structure to confront the manipulation and interference of foreign information. It will pool all expertise, link and coordinate with existing national agencies. Intelligence and detection capabilities must be strengthened. In addition to the ability to move and impose sanctions. The shield will take into account recommendations from the work of the Special Committees on Foreign Interference, in order to better protect our democracies. There is an urgent need to provide the EU with robust cyber defense tools, to enforce transparency on foreign financing of our public life as a common rule, but also to ensure a trustworthy information framework. To this end, the EU must support independent journalism, continue to ensure that digital giants respect the rules, and further encourage media literacy programmes. European democracy must be more participatory and vibrant. Civil society must be better supported and defended. I know I can count on your support to realize this grand plan to defend European democracy.
But we will also step up our work to defend all parts of our democracy. We will protect our free media and civil society. The rule of law and the fight against corruption will be at the core of our work. We will enhance all our tools and we will enhance our application. We will ensure that our rule of law report focuses on the single market dimension to help protect businesses. We will adhere to a very clear principle in our budget. Respect for the rule of law is a must for EU funds. In this budget, and in the future, with the conditionality mechanism. It is non-negotiable. Because this is the essence of our European way of life.
Dear members,
Our union and our democracy are a constant work in progress. There is more we can do. We need an ambitious reform agenda to ensure greater union functioning and increase democratic legitimacy. Although reforms were necessary before, with the expansion they became indispensable. We must use this as a catalyst for change in terms of our ability to operate, our policies and our budget. We will of course focus on what we can already do, of which there is a lot. But we must be more ambitious. I think we need to change the treaty as it can improve our union. And I want to work on that with this house. This will be part of a closer partnership between the Commission and Parliament. I have listened to your demands and concerns. I continue to support your right to initiative and we will increase our cooperation on Section 225 resolutions to ensure follow-through. So I'm ready to work on all parts of our partnership. We need to review the Framework Agreement to ensure greater transparency, accountability and greater presence in Parliament. When all institutions move together, Europe moves forward, too. The post-war generation that built peace on coal and steel. People who stood unarmed in the face of Soviet tanks, who put cloves in their rifles, and demolished the wall with their bare hands. People who still risk their lives today for this dream called Europe. Generation after generation created Europe, and chose a strong Europe. Now that responsibility is up to us. The past five years have shown what we can do together. Let's do it again. Let's choose strength. Let's choose leadership. Let's choose Europe