The President of the European Commission, deliver his State of the Union Address

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers a State of the Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the Union

Jean-Claude Juncker, the President of the European Commission, will deliver his State of the Union Address on 12 September 2018.
Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the Union 2018

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

Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission, will deliver her first State of the European Union Address on 16 September 2020.

Every year in September, the President of the European Commission delivers his State of the European Union Address before the European Parliament, taking stock of achievements of the past year and presenting priorities for the year ahead. The President also sets out how the European Commission will address the most pressing challenges the European Union is facing. The speech is followed by a plenary debate.

State of the European Union 2020

Press point by French MEPs following the debate on the State of the European Union 2023

Arrivals, doorsteps and general atmosphere prior to the debate on the State of the European Union 2023

EP Plenary session - SOTEU 2022 - State of the Union speech

Press Seminar on the State of the Union

State of the European Union - Debate

State of the European Union 2020 (SotEU) - MEP Debate

State of the Union - SOTEU - EP Press point by David SASSOLI, EP President

EP Plenary session - State of the Union

State of the European Union 2020 (SotEU) - Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, EC President

State of the European Union debate: Statements by Political group Leaders

State of the European Union 2020 (SotEU) - Debate on Migration

EP Plenary session - State of the Union (SotEU)

EP Plenary - Statement by the President of the Commission Debate on the State of the Union 2018

State of the Union 2018 -  EP Political group leaders  and MEP Debate

State of the Union 2018 -  statement by Jean-Claude JUNCKER, President of the EC

State of the Union - MEP arrivals and ambiance shots

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. MEPs debate (part 2/3)

State of the European Union 2021 debate: MEPs debate (part 2/3)

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. MEPs debate (part 3)

State of the European Union 2021 debate: MEPs debate (part 3/3)

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. MEPs debate (continuation of part 3/3)

State of the European Union 2021 debate: MEPs debate (continuation of part 3/3)

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. Answer by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission. She insures that many urgent files are on the table, such as climate change, which will find answers with the fit for 55 package. NextGenerationEU will enable member states to do more investments and to trigger the economy. The Commission will also guarantee the respect of Rule of Law and the first sanctions, the first written notifications will be sent out soon. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Answer 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. Statements by Political group leaders (reverse order)

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statements by Political group leaders (reverse order)

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. Opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP Vice-President. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: opening statement by Roberta METSOLA, EP Vice-President

Media presence - Journalists and TV crews

State of the European Union debate - atmosphere and ambiance shots around the plenary chamber

General atmosphere and ambiance shots of 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.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: atmosphere and ambiance shots of the debate

Extracts of the EP Group Leaders statements during the debate following the State of the European Union address by Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Highlights of the Group leaders statements

In her speech on the State of the European Union to the European Parliament, Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission spoke on how the European Union handled the health crisis, climate change challenges, digital agenda, youth unemployment, European Defence Union and Afghanistan crisis, over the last year. She also proposed a new law to fight violence against women. The President of the European Commission welcomed a special guest, a Paralympic gold medal winner, Beatrice Vio, as an example of the fighting spirit of the next European generation.

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Highlights of the debate by Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission

General atmosphere prior to the debate on the State of the Union 2020 during the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels.

State of the European Union debate: General atmosphere prior to the debate - Arrivals and doorsteps

Live atmosphere shots in the hemicycle prior to the debate on the State of the Union 2020 during the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels.

State of the European Union debate: Atmosphere shots in the hemicycle

During the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2020) before the MEPs. Introductory statement by David SASSOLI, EP President. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

State of the European Union debate: Arrival of and introductory by David SASSOLI, EP President

During the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2020) before 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 debate: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission

During the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2020) before the MEPs. In the first part of her speech, VON DER LEYEN focused on the first phases of the crisis caused by the Covid19 pandemic and how European institutions reacted to it. The creation of green lines for medical goods between member states, the increased production of masks gloves and ventilators and the return of 600 thousand European citizens to their homes. Finally, the proposal to build a stronger European Health Union. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 1/5 - State of the European Union debate: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission (on Covid-19 pandemic)

During the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2020) before the MEPs. In the second part of her speech VON DER LEYEN focused on the next actions the Commission will take on healthcare, labour market and a capital markets union. On the table there is the reinforcement and empowerment the European Medicines Agency, and the institution of BARDA, a new agency for biomedical advanced research and development. Lastly, the proposal of a minimum wages mechanism, either through collective bargaining or through statutory minimum wages. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 2/5 - State of the European Union debate: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission (Health and Social policy)

During the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2020) before the MEPs. In the third part of her speech she focused on strenghtening the internal single market and new goals of the Green Deal. On the latest the Commission is proposing to increase the 2030 targets for emission reduction to at least 55 percent. Thirdly, but not less important is the strategy on digitization: a new European law in this field which will tackle the issue of control of personal data, and a proposal for a new secure digital identity. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 3/5 - State of the European Union debate: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission (Single Market, Green Deal, Digital Agenda)

During the plenary session (14-17 September 2020) in the European Parliament in Brussels, Ursula VON DER LEYEN delivers the State of the European Union (SOTEU 2020) before the MEPs. In the fourth part of her speech VON DER LEYEN focused on digitization and the EU foreing affairs strategy with a particular attention on EU-China relationships, current situation in Belarus, the respect of the withdrawal agreement by the United Kingdom and Western Balkans enlargement. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Part 4/5 - State of the European Union debate: Opening statement by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the European Commission (Foreign Affairs and Human Rights)

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