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 Union

9th parliamentary term

state of the European Union 2021 (T)

State of the European Union 2021

EP Plenary session - State of the European Union debate

Press Seminar on the State of the Union

Meeting of the EP Extraordinary Conference of Presidents

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

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

State of the European Union debate 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Manfred WEBER (EPP, DE), EPP group leader

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Iratxe GARCÍA PÉREZ (S&D, ES), S&D Group Leader

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Dacian CIOLOS (RE, RO), Renew Group Leader

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Philippe LAMBERTS (Greens/EFA,BE), Greens/EFA group co-leader

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Jörg MEUTHEN (ID, DE), ID Vice-Chair

State of the European Union 2021 debate: general atmosphere prior to the debate

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Raffaele FITTO (ECR, IT), ECR group co-leader

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Martin SCHIRDEWAN (The Left, DE), The Left group co-leader

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Tiziana BEGHIN (NI, IT), Group speaker

State of the European Union 2021 debate: Statement by Anže LOGAR, Slovenian Minister for Foreign Affairs

State of the European Union 2021 debate: MEPs debate (part 1/3)

Description

Tag

Receive updates on this topic

Description

Tag

Further information

Receive updates on this topic