On a day that marked important reflection and dedication, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Fee, addressed the European Parliament, specializing in key points impacting Hungary, Ukraine, and the broader European Union. With a tone of solidarity and unity, she emphasised the significance of collective motion in tackling the urgent challenges of our time: from local weather change and migration to competitiveness and the continued conflict in Ukraine.
The Aftermath of Excessive Climate in Central Europe
The speech opened with von der Leyen expressing solidarity with Hungary and Central Europe after devastating floods, which delayed the assembly by three weeks. She described the acute climate as a consequence of local weather change, highlighting that “5 months’ value of rain fell on Central Europe in simply 4 days.” The magnitude of the floods was unprecedented, inflicting destruction to landmarks, crops, and industries throughout the area, notably in Budapest.
Nevertheless, amidst this devastation, von der Leyen applauded the resilience of the Hungarian individuals: “In these three weeks, we’ve seen the individuals of Hungary rolling up their sleeves and serving to each other.” She emphasised that Europe would stand by Hungary, stating, “The European Union is there for the individuals of Hungary on this emergency and past.” The European Fee had already mobilized its Copernicus satellites to help within the rescue efforts, and Hungary was inspired to entry the EU’s Solidarity Fund to rebuild.
Supporting Ukraine By way of Its Hardest Winter
Von der Leyen shifted the main target to Ukraine, a rustic heading into its third winter of conflict with Russia. The state of affairs has worsened as Russia continues its assaults, launching over 1,300 drones on Ukrainian cities previously month alone, concentrating on important vitality infrastructure and inflicting widespread destruction. In a robust rebuke to those that downplay Russia’s aggression, von der Leyen requested, “Would they ever blame the Hungarians for the Soviet invasion in 1956? Would they ever blame the Czechs or Slovaks for the Soviet repression of 1968?” She emphasised that the Ukrainian persons are freedom fighters, very similar to the heroes who liberated Central and Japanese Europe from Soviet rule.
Europe’s response to the conflict is unwavering. Von der Leyen introduced that the EU, alongside the G7, had pledged €50 billion to Ukraine, of which €35 billion would come within the type of loans to help the nation’s nationwide price range. Critically, these loans can be repaid utilizing the windfall earnings from immobilized Russian property. “We’re making Russia pay for the injury it prompted,” she asserted, emphasizing Europe’s continued help for Ukraine “via this winter and for so long as it takes.”
Enhancing European Competitiveness
The subsequent precedence in von der Leyen’s speech centered on bettering European competitiveness. She referred to the Draghi report, which offered a roadmap for strengthening the EU’s financial future. The first concern raised was the “innovation hole” between Europe and different main economies, notably within the digital area. “Too lots of our progressive corporations have to have a look at the US or Asia to finance their enlargement,” she famous, stating that whereas European households have €300 billion in financial savings, a lot of it’s invested outdoors the continent.
Von der Leyen proposed an answer: the creation of a financial savings and funding union, aimed toward eliminating obstacles that forestall corporations from scaling up throughout European borders. To spice up competitiveness, she advised a discount in regulatory burdens, particularly in sectors like finance and digital applied sciences.
Nevertheless, the president took a agency stance in opposition to Hungary’s present insurance policies, criticizing the Hungarian authorities for its discriminatory practices in the direction of European companies. She questioned how Hungary may hope to draw investments when it imposes arbitrary export restrictions, discriminatory taxes, and permits corruption to flourish in public contracts. “This creates uncertainty and undermines buyers’ belief,” she warned, stating that Hungary’s GDP per capita had fallen behind its Central European neighbors.
Decarbonization and Vitality Safety
Von der Leyen additionally tackled the problem of decarbonization, a important a part of Europe’s path in the direction of sustainability. In mild of the continued conflict, she reminded the parliament of the pledge made by all 27 EU leaders at Versailles to diversify away from Russian fossil fuels. “One thousand days later, Europe has certainly diversified,” she declared, with half of Europe’s electrical energy technology now coming from renewable vitality sources. Nevertheless, she condemned Member States that also relied on Russian fossil fuels, stating unequivocally that “Russia has confirmed again and again it’s merely not a dependable provider.”
Her message was clear: vitality safety is synonymous with European safety. Europe should proceed its transition to wash, homegrown vitality, creating jobs inside the EU fairly than sending cash to Russia.
Migration: A Problem for Europe
Migration remained a key matter in von der Leyen’s speech. Acknowledging it as a “European problem that requires a European reply,” she emphasised the significance of implementing the newly adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum. The EU is already working with Member States at its exterior borders, however von der Leyen expressed concern over Hungary’s method to the migration concern. She identified that Hungarian authorities had launched convicted smugglers and traffickers from jail earlier than they’d accomplished their sentences, undermining European efforts to fight unlawful migration. “This isn’t preventing unlawful migration in Europe. This isn’t defending our Union,” she criticized.
Moreover, von der Leyen highlighted the safety dangers posed by Hungary’s visa scheme, which allowed Russian nationals to enter the EU with out correct safety checks. She additionally questioned the Hungarian authorities’s resolution to permit Chinese language police to function inside its borders, describing these actions as threats to European sovereignty.
A Name for European Unity
Von der Leyen concluded her speech with a robust name for European unity, recalling Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s phrases from 2011 when Hungary first held the Presidency of the Council of the EU: “We’ll comply with within the footsteps of the revolutionaries of 1956. We intend to serve the reason for European unity.” Reaffirming that “Europe should stand united,” she addressed the Hungarian individuals immediately, saying, “Your story is our story. Your future is our future. 10 million Hungarians are 10 million good causes to maintain shaping our future collectively.”
On this important second for Europe, von der Leyen’s speech served as each a warning and a reminder of the values that bind the European Union collectively—solidarity, unity, and a shared dedication to freedom and democracy.