As every year, September is the time for the #SOTEU, the State of the European Union Debate. This annual meeting, which marks the start of the European political year, is a debate in which the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, presents the initiatives and measures proposed for the coming months. This year, the speech has a special connotation, as it is the last of the current European Commission’s term of office.
Ursula von der Leyen began her speech by mentioning the electoral process that Europeans will experience in 2024. Elections whose outcome will mark the future of Europe and the path to follow in such important aspects as the management of the current geopolitical situation, the fight against climate change or the digital transition.
“When I talk to the young people of the new generation, I perceive a vision of the future similar to those who dreamed of a better future after the Second World War. It is the same conviction that, in today’s world of uncertainty, Europe must once again answer the call of history.”
Responding now, preparing for tomorrow
The beginning of the European Commission’s current mandate was marked by the presentation of the European Green Pact. Today, as the President pointed out, this pact is the epicenter of our economy. It has become a tool that provides the structures, financing and incentives for companies and professionals to develop the technologies and solutions to achieve the green transition. The next step, announced by Von der Leyen, will be to support industry in all phases of this transition. To this end, different measures such as the Key Raw Materials Act will be presented, dialogues on the transition to cleaner energy will be held and a European wind energy package will be presented. “The future of our cleantech industry must be made in Europe,” said the President.
On this path to the green transition, a balance must be found between the protection of biodiversity and the present and future food supply. To this end, the European Commission wants to focus on the future of EU agriculture.
Proteger la política social y fomentar la competitividad
Another of the key issues addressed by the President of the Commission in her speech was the European business fabric. Von der Leyen highlighted the three main challenges facing the European Union in the coming years: labor shortages, inflation and the simplification of business activity. To address the first of these challenges, she announced that a new Summit of Social Partners will be convened, again in Val Duchesse, which will address everything from labor shortages to the new challenges arising from artificial intelligence.
With a view to combating inflation, the president recalled the great effort made, achieving a huge reduction in energy prices in the last year. Replicating this successful model in other areas, such as key raw materials, could be the key.
SMEs are crucial to the European economy, yet today many of them do not have the capacity to cope with the administration and bureaucracy that comes with it. To provide a solution, he announced the creation of an EU representative for SMEs, reporting directly to him.
The digital transformation has been, together with the green transition, the way forward for the European Commission in recent years. Today, digitalization comes together with Artificial Intelligence. Europe must, in the words of the President, lead the way towards a new global AI framework based on protection barriers, governance and innovation orientation. The European Union has been a pioneer in developing a comprehensive, innovation-friendly AI law in the world. This approach should be shared with the rest of the world and an expert body established to establish the risks and benefits of AI for humanity.
SOTEU 2023: Charting the course for the year ahead |
A more global – and enlarged – Europe
On foreign policy, von der Leyen highlighted the far-reaching role that Global Gateway is playing. Through this initiative, the European Union is investing in the economies of Latin America, Southeast Asia and throughout Africa, “investments in Europe’s prosperity and security in a rapidly changing world.”
The New Pact on Migration and Asylum has been one of the great achievements of this mandate, for which they have listened to Member States and analyzed all migration routes. Europe must manage migration with unity, efficiency and compassion. Another of the Commission’s priorities in this area is human trafficking. The Commission will organize an International Conference on Combating Human Trafficking to put an end to this practice.
In her speech, the President wished to dedicate a few minutes to pay a small tribute to the writer Victoria Amelina, a victim of the war, and to reiterate that Europe will stand by Ukraine. She announced that the Commission will propose to extend temporary protection to Ukrainians in the EU.
In conclusion, Ursula von der Leyen took up the message launched at the beginning of the speech of Europe’s ability to respond to the call of history. The current geopolitical moment makes size and weight matter. Europe has already shown that it is capable of growing and experiencing economic success that has improved the lives of millions of people. Respecting the principle of accession based on merit, the President urged that the European Union should be ready for new accessions, without waiting for Treaty change to advance enlargement. To this end, the Commission will start conducting pre-enlargement policy reviews.
Today’s young people demand a continent where they can be who they are in freedom, a continent that respects and protects its environment and is a leader in innovation. A continent united in freedom and peace.
More information: Representation of the European Commission in Spain
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