“We want to create links, not dependencies”, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her State of the Union address on Wednesday 15 September. In order to have economic and political weight on the international stage, the EU must first and foremost ally itself with partners who share its values.
United States
To this end, strengthening links with the partner across the Atlantic is a priority. “Together with the US, we will develop our new agenda for global change, from the new Trade and Technology Council to health security and sustainability”, said Mrs von der Leyen.
This is an initiative that the EPP would like to see go even further and faster. “Why not now pick up this debate with our American friends? Let’s negotiate an EU US trade emergency programme on the mobility sector, mechanical engineering, as soon as possible, as a first step for a broader comprehensive agreement”, said Manfred Weber (EPP, Germany).
Increased links
Ursula von der Leyen also mentioned other regions with which relations should be strengthened, such as the Western Balkans or the southern countries.
One of the highlights of her speech was the announcement of the future presentation of a connectivity strategy: the ‘Global Gateway’. “We will establish Global Gateway partnerships with countries around the world. We want investment in quality infrastructure, connecting goods, people and services around the world”, the President announced.
This initiative was also welcomed in the Chamber. For Greens/EFA MEP and Chair of the Delegation for relations with China, Reinhard Bütikofer (Germany), the announcement “represents a self-confident EU that does not shy away from offering our own alternatives as a geopolitical actor”.
The EU-Africa summit next February will be a prime opportunity to implement this strategy, according to Mrs von der Leyen. On 8 May, the EU launched a connectivity partnership with India (see EUROPE 12716/4).
Due diligence
Regarding trade policy tools, Ursula von der Leyen noted that the EU would soon have legislation to ban the entry into the internal market of goods produced by forced labour. According to the Commission’s working schedule, EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis is due to present a proposal on 1 December. MEPs had called on the Commission to do so as soon as possible.
Afghanistan
Mrs von der Leyen also spoke about the crisis in Afghanistan, saying she stood by the Afghan people, “women and children, judges, journalists and human rights defenders”. “We must do everything possible to avoid the real risk of a major famine and humanitarian disaster,”, she warned, announcing a further €100 million increase in humanitarian aid (see EUROPE 12775/1). The President also explained that a new aid package for Afghans will be presented “in the coming weeks”.
“The disaster in Afghanistan has shown once again the impotence of Europe (...) A lack of strategic vision must not lead to the loss of human lives”, warned Philippe Lamberts (Greens/EFA, Belgium). For Dacian Cioloș (Renew Europe, Romania), the slogan of the “Geopolitical Commission” must be made concrete. “The events in Afghanistan remind us of the extent to which (...) our strategic autonomy - and dare we say it, our sovereignty - must be asserted so that we are never again at the mercy of decisions taken in Washington, Beijing or Moscow”, he stressed, wondering whether this Commission had grasped the extent of the challenge.
Neighbourhood
Mrs von der Leyen also announced that before the end of September, a few days before the EU-Western Balkans summit, she would visit the region to “send a strong signal of our commitment to the accession process”.
She also announced that the EU would continue to invest in its partnerships across our neighbourhood: “from strengthening [the] commitment to the Eastern Partnership to implementing the new Mediterranean programme and continuing to work on the different aspects of our relationship with Turkey”.
See the State of the Union address: https://bit.ly/3ltHxvq
See the letter of intent for 2022: https://bit.ly/3EmHlGS (Original version in French by Léa Marchal and Camille-Cerise Gessant)