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“Europe will be what we want it to be” In her first State of the Union Speech, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen pledged that the European Commission will drive a sustainable and transformational recovery for the future
“D
ifference is the essence of humanity.” The famous words of John Hume, the late Northern Ireland politician and Member of the European Parliament, were reiterated by President Ursula von der Leyen in her first State of the Union Speech to the European Parliament. Anti-racism, discrimination and human rights are just some issues Ms von der Leyen addressed with conviction on Wednesday in Brussels, who said that Hume’s words are as important today as they have ever been. “I will not rest when it comes to building a Union of equality. LGBTQI-free zones are humanity-free zones. And they have no place in our Union,” she declared, as she announced that the Commission will present a European anti-racism action plan and a strategy to strengthen LGBTQI rights. “That is the world we want to live in,” she continued. “Where we are united in diversity and adversity. Where we work together to overcome our differences – and pull each other through when times are hard. Where we build today the healthier, stronger and more respectful world we want our children to live in tomorrow.” And von der Leyen alluded to the fact that, in Covid times, we have seen how strong the human spirit can be. “We have all sacrificed a piece of our personal liberty for the safety of others. “In the last six months, our health systems and workers have produced miracles.” She added, “But people want to move out of this corona world, out of this fragility, out of uncertainty. They are ready for change and they are ready to move on.”
Hope during the pandemic
Over the next 12 months, the Commission will focus on building a stronger European Health Union. To help tackle the pandemic, von der Leyen has proposed to strengthen the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and has pledged to build a European agency for Biomedical Advanced Research and Development
(BARDA), to enhance Europe’s capacity to respond to cross-border threats. The President also called for a common plan for a ‘digital Europe’, with clearly defined goals for 2030, such as for connectivity, skills and digital public services. She said, “We need common data spaces to support innovation in the healthcare sector, for example.” Of course, healthcare is not the only aspect affected by the pandemic. Von der Leyen stressed the importance of reinforcing Europe’s social market economy and of protecting workers and businesses from external shocks. She pledged to boost the Single Market and promised to put forward a legal framework for setting minimum wages. During an expert panel discussion after the speech – organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland and the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland in association with the Institute for International and European Affairs – Senator Regina Doherty, Leader of Seanad Éireann, said, “As a former European Affairs Minister, I think it’s very important that she led with minimum wage. Ireland is in the fortunate position of having the secondhighest minimum wage in Europe, but it’s still not enough. It’s great to hear her talk about the need to make work pay and that she’s going to enshrine that across European legislation.”
Climate change challenges
In her speech, the President revealed that the European Commission is proposing to increase the 2030 target for emissions reduction from 40% to 55%. This will put
the EU on track for climate neutrality by 2050. “Meeting this new target will reduce our energy import dependency, create millions of extra jobs and more than halve air pollution,” she said. The President further announced that 30% of the €750 billion #NextGenerationEU budget – a plan to ensure Europe’s recovery is sustainable and fair – will be raised through green bonds. And 37% of funding will be invested in European Green Deal objectives, including ‘lighthouse’ European projects – hydrogen, green building and one million electric charging points. As part of the Green Deal, a ‘Farm to Fork Strategy’ proposes a transformation of the food system right across the supply chain. Commenting on what this means for Irish farmers, Regina Doherty says, “Farming is a way of life, certainly in Ireland, and farmers have to be financially supported when developing more sustainable practices. We will continue to fight to smooth that transition.”
Migration pact
The President also revealed that the Commission will put forward its New Pact on Migration, with an approach based on humanity, solidarity and a “clear distinction between those who have the right to stay and those who do not”. Speaking during the panel discussion after the speech, Dr Mary C Murphy, Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration and Lecturer in Politics, University College Cork, said, “Ursula von der Leyen particularly stood out on the migration
and the human rights issues. “However, I felt she wasn’t particularly strident in relation to rule of law.” Dr Murphy noted that there was no mention of countries like Hungary and Poland, which are sliding closer to autocracy. “But other than that, I think this was a very powerful speech in terms of content, tone and delivery.” David O Sullivan, former Secretary General of the European Commission, added, “The President’s migration piece was particularly powerful. But the issue is, can you get the Member States to follow? For example, when a president of the United States makes a declaration about what they intend to do, they often have the power to make it happen. The power of the Commission is more persuasion, initiative and leadership. But I think she showed that in spades during her speech.”
Refining partnerships
As well as responding more assertively to global events, Ursula von der Leyen stressed in her speech that Europe must deepen and refine its partnerships with its friends and allies. Referring to “new beginnings with old friends”, the President said Europe is ready to build a new transatlantic agenda with the US and to reach a deal with the UK, provided it honours the Withdrawal Agreement. She recalled the statement of Margaret Thatcher: “Britain does not break Treaties.” And with a meeting of the EU-China leaders happening earlier in the week, Ursula says the relationship with China is one of the most strategically important and one of the most challenging we have. David O’Sullivan commented, “China is going to be a difficult customer for a long time to come. But reinventing the transatlantic relationship with the US, if Biden is successful in the Presidential Election, will be difficult. Because the Biden administration will want to maintain a tough line on China, while having European cooperation.” When asked by the panel discussion host, Journalist Martina Fitzgerald, if the Commission will live up to their ambitions, Dr Murphy answered, “The difficulty for any president of the European Commission, regardless of their personality or appearance of power, is that the European Commission is not as a decision-maker. It is reliant on the Member States. And when the veto can be utilised in specific areas, that creates all sorts of problems for the European Commission in advancing its own particular initiatives and proposals. “Any European Commission President faces challenges, but nevertheless, there are ways and means of building those coalitions, which can, in time, produce the outcomes she is alluding to.” The President’s final words in her speech certainly convey hope and opportunity, “The future will be what we make it. And Europe will be what we want it to be. “So let’s stop talking it down. And let’s get to work for it. Let’s make it strong. And let’s build the world we want to live in. “Long live Europe!” For the full speech, visit ec.europa. eu/commission/presscorner/detail/ en/speech_20_1655