The future President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, has made Europe's role in the world one of her priorities for action.
Her programme does not include any real innovations, with the former German Defence Minister adopting the positions of the Juncker Commission.
"The world is demanding more of Europe. The world needs more from Europe (...), I believe that Europe should have a stronger and more united voice in the world – and it must act quickly”, said Mrs von der Leyen in her speech to MEPs.
She is therefore putting forward major concepts—multilateralism, cooperation, European values and respect for international law—but few specific proposals. These are the only real suggestions: - increase the future EU budget for investment in external activities by 30% to EUR 120 billion; - make qualified majority voting the standard rule in foreign policy. Jean Claude Juncker has repeatedly proposed breaking with the unanimity rule in several areas of Foreign Affairs (see EUROPE 12094/4).
Mrs Von der Leyen has also pledged to work closely with the High Representative—who could be the Spaniard Josep Borrell—"to ensure a coordinated approach to all our external activities, from development aid to our common foreign and security policy”.
Taking up the ideas of the current Commission as well, Mrs von der Leyen wants to create a partnership “on an equal footing, without compromising freedom and dignity” with the countries receiving her development aid, as well as developing a global strategy for Africa, “a close neighbour and the most natural partner”. For her, the EU must also help the continent to design and implement its own solutions to such challenges as instability, cross-border terrorism, and organised crime.
The incoming President has also reaffirmed the European perspective of the Western Balkans with which the European Union shares “the same continent, the same history, the same culture and the same challenges”. "I fully support the Commission's proposal to open negotiations with North Macedonia and Albania. The accession process provides a unique opportunity to promote and share our core values and interests”, she added. Her support for the Balkans was welcomed by Macedonian Foreign Minister, Nikola Dimitrov, who called for joint work to be undertaken to turn words into deeds and to enjoy “joint success in October: the opening of accession negotiations with North Macedonia”.
No reference is made in the programme to Turkey, which is also a candidate country and strategic partner of the EU. Neither does it mention relations with the United States from a non-trade perspective. However, the Turks and Americans were the first to congratulate her on her election. Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, hoped his election would have a “positive impact on Turkish-EU relations”, while the US Ambassador to the EU, Gordon Sondland, called for renewed efforts to strengthen transatlantic relations and to promote prosperity and security for all our citizens.
Nor does Mrs von der Leyen seem to want to revolutionise the EU's defence capacity. “NATO will always be the cornerstone of Europe's collective defences”, she warned. "We will remain transatlantic and become more European", she said, while Europeans have developed a strong European defence capability over recent years. “In the context of the EU's next long-term budget, I intend to strengthen the European Defence Fund (EDF) to support research and capacity development”, said Mrs von der Leyen. The Commission has proposed a figure of €13 billion for the EDF.
Believing that security challenges are becoming ever more diverse and unpredictable, Mrs von der Leyen has proposed that the EU strengthen its response and resilience to hybrid threats, which is already a priority for the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the EU (see EUROPE 12292/25). (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)