European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual state of the union address in the European Parliament on Wednesday (15 September), praising the EU’s efforts in dealing with the pandemic and economic recovery, but also calling for more efforts to achieve strategic autonomy, climate goals and a coherent European defence policy.
For a blow-by-blow account of her speech, visit EURACTIV’S Liveblog.
Below are the key policy stories based on her speech and the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
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European Commission to launch Chips Act in bid for strategic autonomy
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday (15 September) the intention to present a European Chips Act meant to boost Europe’s semiconductor capacity and reinforce its new drive for strategic autonomy.
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Von der Leyen announces €50 billion health mission to strengthen EU health union
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has announced a €50 billion investment to strengthen the European health union in her annual State of the Union speech in efforts to concrete the EU as a world leader on health.
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Von der Leyen rides two horses on EU defence
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a pitch on Wednesday (15 September) for stronger European defence, saying the bloc needs to boost its own military capacity but fell short of setting out clear proposals, particularly on how this …
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US needs to step up on climate finance ahead of COP26, says EU chief
The United States and other rich nations need to close the climate financing gap in order to increase the chances of success at the COP26 UN climate summit in November, the President of the European Commission has said.