Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU) address before the European Parliament, taking stock of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered&nbsp;her speech for 2021&nbsp;on 15 of September. It&nbsp;was&nbsp;followed by a plenary debate with members of the European Parliament.

The&nbsp; 2021 SOTEU addressed the most pressing questions in challenging times for Europe. The EU reached its goal to have 70% of the population fully vaccinated, but the coronavirus pandemic still continues to impact all aspects of European society. “We have 1.8 billion additional doses secured. This is enough for us and our neighbourhood when booster shots are needed. Let’s do everything possible to ensure that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated”, said the President of the European Commission and added:" I am proposing a new health preparedness and resilience mission for the whole of the EU. And it should be backed up by Team Europe investment of EUR 50 billion by 2027. “

She focused also on the economic recovery after the pandemics.&nbsp;She highlighted that, with the Green Deal, the EU was the first major economy to present comprehensive legislation in this area and promised to support developing countries&nbsp;by doubling&nbsp;funding for biodiversity, pledging an additional €4 billion for climate finance until 2027 to support their green transition.

The President of the EC addressed also the situation in Afghanistan and promised to increase&nbsp;" again humanitarian aid for Afghanistan by 100 million euro.” Speaking about foreign and security policy, she called for a European Cyber Defence Policy and a new European Cyber Resilience Act and announced a summit on European defence to be held under the French Presidency. In her speech she&nbsp;touched as well&nbsp;upon rule of law, migration, protection of journalists or young people in the EU.

In their responses the leaders of political groups in the EP and other MEPs challenged the President of the EC on vaccination&nbsp;policy, more ambitious climate legislation, social measures, rule of law, defence plans and other important topics.

The State of the European Union debate is always a key moment to demonstrate the European Commission’s accountability towards the EU’s democratically elected representatives.&nbsp;

State of the European Union 2021

General atmosphere after the debate on the State of the Union 2021.

EP Plenary session - State of the European Union debate

Beatrice VIO (aka Bebe VIO) - Italian wheelchair fencer, world and paralympic champion

EP Plenary session - State of the European Union debate - Arrivals

General atmosphere shots prior to the debate on the State of the Union 2021 - MEPs and Commissioners reactions

Meeting of the EP Conference of Presidents on the State of the Union 2021:.- with Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, travels to Florence, in Italy and gives the opening speech on “A Europe Fit for the Next Generation?” at the European University Institute' s State of the Union event.

European University Institute, Florence “A Europe Fit for the Next Generation?” - The State of the Union Conference Focuses on the Future: Opening remarks by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Atmosphere shots around the debate on the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021), during the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Cutaways around the Chamber prior to the debate.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: arrivals, doorsteps and general atmosphere prior to the debate

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Full version of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Full version - State of the European Union 2021 debate: Opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 1. Introduction by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. - Health crisis, Green Deal, World recovery, EU solidarity. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 1/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: introduction by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 2 of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on the following topics: - Success of the European vaccination campaign and the delivery of vaccines to Africa (200 million doses to the continent) - Economy: support to over 31 million workers and 2.5 million companies across Europe; investments in digital skills and infrastructures. Investments in the chips production. - Social and Equity: New European Health Strategy; Fight against tax fraud and tax evasion. - Youth: Next Generation EU shoul be funded by new own resources; Proposal to make 2022 the year of European youth. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 2/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united through adversity and recovery - Economy - Social and Equity - Youth

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 3 of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united in responsibility - Global - Security and Defence. Climate change and implementation of the Green Deal, Cop26, Climate finance, the events in Afghanistan, partnership with NATO, Hybrid and cyber attacks, creation of an European Defence Union, cyber security, partnerships with the US, the Balkans, the East and the Mediterranean, trade and Global Gateway, EU-Africa summit, ban for products made with forced labour and protection of human rights. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 3/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united in responsibility - Global - Security and Defence

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 4 of the opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission on a Europe united in freedom and diversity, in particular: - Crisis at the Belarusian border: unity in protecting Eu external borders; - New pact on migration:combact irregular migration but also provide refuge to those forced to flee; - Defence of values of democracy and freedom gained after the end of WW2; - Respect of Rule of Law for the expenditures of the European budget; - Freedom of journalist and media. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 4/5 - State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission, on a Europe united in freedom and diversity

During the plenary session (13-16 September 2021) in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2021) to the MEPs. Part 5 of the closing statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. For that occasion, Beatrice VIO (aka Bebe VIO) - Italian wheelchair fencer, world and paralympic champion was invited in the hemicycle to attend the debate as a symbol of the spirit and soul of the European Union. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

state of the European Union 2021 (T)

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