{"id":52411,"date":"2020-09-18T03:00:45","date_gmt":"2020-09-18T01:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=52411"},"modified":"2021-11-17T11:16:56","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T10:16:56","slug":"soteu-2020-president-von-der-leyen-sets-the-course-for-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/soteu-2020-president-von-der-leyen-sets-the-course-for-europe\/","title":{"rendered":"SOTEU 2020: President Von der Leyen sets the course for Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

European Commission President Ursula\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0today pledged that the European Commission will drive a sustainable and transformational recovery that will give Europe a global platform to lead economically, environmentally and geopolitically.<\/p>\n

\"SOTEU<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS of the <\/strong>State of the Union 2020<\/h3>\n

The response to coronavirus \u2013 and protecting Europe’s health in the future<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The President called for lessons to be learned, saying Europe must build a stronger European health union, with a future-proof and properly funded EU4Health programme, a reinforced European Medicines Agency (EMA) and a strengthened European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC).<\/p>\n

She pledged to build a European BARDA \u2013 agency for biomedical advanced research and development \u2013 to enhance Europe’s capacity to respond to cross-border threats. The President called for a debate on new competences for the EU in the field of health, as part of the forthcoming Conference on the Future of Europe.<\/p>\n

An EU that protects<\/strong><\/h3>\n

President\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0stressed the importance of reinforcing Europe’s social market economy and of protecting workers and businesses from external shocks. She promised to put forward a legal framework for setting minimum wages, emphasising that \u201cminimum wages work \u2013 and it is time work paid\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

The President pledged action to boost the single market, reinforce the Economic and Social Union, get the Schengen area working in full again, update the EU’s industry strategy and adapt its competition framework.<\/p>\n

European Green Deal \u2013 reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The President revealed that the European Commission is proposing to increase the 2030 target for emissions reduction from 40% to at least 55%. This will put the EU on track for climate neutrality by 2050 and for meeting its Paris Agreement obligations. The\u00a0Carbon Border Adjustment mechanism<\/strong>\u00a0will help ensure others will follow Europe’s lead.<\/p>\n

By next summer the Commission will revise all of the EU’s climate and energy legislation to make it \u2018fit for 55′.<\/p>\n

The President further announced that 30% of the \u20ac750 billion #NextGenerationEU budget will be raised through green bonds. And 37% funding will be invested in European Green Deal objectives, including \u2018lighthouse’ European projects \u2013 hydrogen, green building and 1 million electric charging points.<\/p>\n

She called for a new \u2018European Bauhaus’ as a co-creation platform for architects, engineers and designers, to launch the architectural style of our times, reflecting our aspirations to make Europe the first climate neutral continent.<\/p>\n

Europe’s Digital Decade<\/strong><\/h3>\n

President\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0stressed that \u201cEurope must now lead the way on digital \u2013 or it will have to follow the way of others<\/em>.\u201d She called for a common plan for digital Europe with clearly defined goals for 2030, such as for connectivity, skills and digital public services. She further announced that the EU will invest 20% of NextGenerationEU’s budget on digital.<\/p>\n

A Vital Europe in a Fragile World<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The President called for the revitalisation and reform of the multilateral system, including the UN, WTO and WHO. She pledged that the European Commission will put forward a European Magnitsky act and urged Member States to embrace qualified majority voting on external relations \u201cat least on human rights and sanctions implementation.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

Referring to \u201cnew beginnings with old friends<\/em>\u201d, the President said Europe is ready to build a new transatlantic agenda with the U.S. and to reach a deal with the UK, provided it honours the Withdrawal Agreement, \u201ca matter of law, trust and good faith<\/em>\u201d on which \u201cwe will never backtrack<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

The President pledged an economic recovery package for the Western Balkans and highlighted the importance of Europe’s relationship with Africa: \u201cnot just neighbours\u2026but natural partners<\/em>\u201d.<\/p>\n

Finally, President\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0pledges to use Europe’s\u00a0\u201cdiplomatic strength and economic clout to broker agreements that make a difference<\/em>\u201d on ethical, human rights and environmental issues. She made clear that the EU wants a global agreement on\u00a0digital taxation<\/strong>, but will go it alone if that cannot be achieved:\u00a0\u201cI want Europe to be a global advocate for fairness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

A New Pact on Migration<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The President revealed that next week the Commission will put forward its New Pact on Migration, with an approach based on humanity, solidarity and a \u201cclear distinction between those who have the right to stay and those who do not<\/em>\u201d. She promised that the Commission will \u201cstep up and take responsibility\u201d\u00a0<\/em>for dealing with the situation after the Moria fire, but: \u201cif we step up, then I expect the Member States to step up\u2026Migration is a European challenge and all of Europe must do its part<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rule of Law<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The President stressed that the Commission will before the end of September adopt its first annual Rule of Law report covering all Member States. President\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0pledged to ensure that EU funds are spent with the rule of law guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Anti-racism and tackling hate crime and discrimination<\/strong><\/h3>\n

President\u00a0von der Leyen<\/strong>\u00a0announced that the Commission will present a European anti-racism action plan, strengthen racial equality laws and extend the list of EU-level crimes to all forms of hate crime and hate speech, whether based on race, religion gender or sexuality. The Commission will also appoint its first ever anti-racism coordinator. It will put forward a strategy to strengthen LGBTQI rights and will push for mutual recognition of family relations in the EU.<\/p>\n

Letter of Intent<\/strong><\/h3>\n

President\u00a0von der Leyen’s<\/strong>\u00a0Address is accompanied by a \u2018Letter of Intent<\/a>‘ to European Parliament President David Sassoli and to German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who holds the rotating Council Presidency. The letter sets out a list of initiatives the European Commission intends to bring forward over the coming year.<\/p>\n

More information<\/h3>\n

Full news<\/a><\/p>\n

Main initiaves<\/a><\/p>\n

Letter of Intent<\/a><\/p>\n

Commitments during the first year in office<\/a><\/p>\n

State of the Union 2020 \u2013 main initiatives<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n