Proposals Already Tabled by the Commission
European Commission President Calls for Stronger, More Independent Europe
Aachen, Germany - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the need for a more confident and autonomous Europe in her acceptance speech for the International Karlspreis in Aachen. At the town hall ceremony, von der Leyen stressed that Europe's independence is fundamentally about preserving freedom for its citizens.
Warning against a false assumption that the past can be revisited, von der Leyen asserted, "The world is once again reconfiguring under the influence of imperial powers and conflicts." Extolling the importance of sovereignty, she noted, "An independent Europe - while this phrase might alarm some, at its core, it's about safeguarding our freedom."
In her address, von der Leyen predicted the emergence of a new global order within the next decade, emphasizing that Europe must play a significant role in shaping this order. She pointed to potential adversaries of democracy, like the brutal war being waged by Russia against Ukraine, as evidence of the urgent need to bolster European security.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged Germany's commitment to upholding European independence, viewing it as a natural extension of Europe's successful history as a peace project. Merz reaffirmed that Germany remains resolute in working closely with its European partners to fulfill this mission.
Spanish King Felipe VI also expressed his opposition to any rollback of the European Union, dismissing calls for separate national political communities as shortsighted and dangerous. According to Felipe, retreating from the EU would leave Europeans vulnerable to the whims of others.
During the ceremony, several protests took place in various locations, according to police reports, voicing concerns over arms procurement plans. The one-million-euro prize money from the annual Karlspreis, awarded for the first time this year, will be allocated towards projects benefiting Ukrainian children, in accordance with von der Leyen's wishes.
Originally established in 1950, the International Karlspreis is considered the most prestigious award honoring achievements in promoting European unification. Von der Leyen was honored as a "vocal advocate for Europe on the global stage" by the Karlspreis selection committee, following in the footsteps of previous recipients such as Jacques Delors, who is credited with completing the European internal market and pioneering the euro.
In light of the changing global landscape, it is crucial for Europe to strengthen its independence in matters of policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, and politics, to shape the emerging new order and secure its general-news and freedom. President Ursula von der Leyen's calls for a more self-reliant Europe echo the views of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Spanish King Felipe VI, who both advocate for a united Europe to guard against potential threats.
