Europe must be able to take care of its own defence and security, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told Euro-MPs as she delivered her 2025 State of the European Union address.
“This must be Europe’s independence moment”, she declared, as she presented her priorities for the year ahead, where Europe “controls the technologies and energies that will fuel its economies, decide what kind of society and democracy we want to live in and be open to the world.”
In her speech, Ms von der Leyen announced plans to turn up the pressure on Russia with a 19th package of sanctions and a faster phase-out of Russian fossil fuels. The Commission will also propose a “Qualitative Military Edge” programme to support investment in the Ukrainian armed forces, and an “Eastern Flank Watch” initiative to provide Europe with independent strategic capabilities. “Europe stands in full solidarity with Poland”, she said with regard to the “reckless and unprecedented” violation of Poland’s and Europe’s airspace by Russian drones.
Speaking about the war in Gaza, von der Leyen said “man-made famine can never be a weapon of war. For the sake of the children, for the sake of humanity – this must stop.” She announced the Commission’s intention to “put our bilateral support to Israel on hold”, propose sanctions on extremist ministers and violent settlers, and impose a partial suspension of the Association Agreement on trade-related matters. Europe’s goal must be “real security for Israel and a safe present and future for all Palestinians. And that means that the hostages must be released”, she stressed.
On competitiveness and the single market, President von der Leyen stressed that a digital euro and the savings and investments union will make it easier for companies and consumers alike. She announced a multi-billion euro “Scaleup Europe Fund” to make major investments in young, fast-growing companies in critical tech areas, a “Battery Booster” package to boost production in Europe, a “Quality Jobs Act” and a European anti-poverty strategy to help eradicate poverty by 2050.
Regarding the trade agreement with the United States, she said: “We have the best agreement, without any doubt”, providing crucial stability and preventing a full-fledged trade war.
