Opening Statementin the European Parliament Plenary SessionAs deliveredUrsula von der LeyenCandidate for President of the European CommissionStrasbourg16 July 2019
Ich bin Europäerin
gewesen, bevor ich später
gelernt habe, dass ich
Deutsche bin und
Niedersächsin.
Und deshalb gibt es für
mich nur eines: Europa
einen und stärken.
Europas Versprechen
Herr Präsident,
Mein Vater war 15 Jahre alt, als der schaurige Krieg, durch den mein Land Tod, Verwüstung,
Vertreibung und Zerstörung über unseren Kontinent gebracht hat, endete.
The cornerstone of our
collective defence will
always be NATO.
We will stay transatlantic
but we have to become
more European.
A responsible leader in the world
Honourable Members,
As a Defence Minister, I have been many times in this war-torn neighbourhood. I will never
forget the words of former President of Iraq Masoum, who said: We want to see more Europe
here. The world is calling for more Europe. The world needs more Europe.
I believe Europe should have a stronger and more united voice in the world – and it needs to act
fast. That is why we must have the courage to take foreign policy decisions by qualified
majority. And to stand united behind them.
The cornerstone of our collective defence will always be
NATO. We will stay transatlantic and we have to
become more European. This is why we created the
European Defence Union. Our work for our
European Union of security and defence is embedded
in comprehensive security. Stabilisation always
comes with diplomacy, reconciliation and
reconstruction.
Our servicemen and servicewomen work side by
side with police officers, diplomats and development
aid workers. These men and women deserve our
utmost respect and recognition for their tireless
service for Europe.
I would like to tell you a story about perspective. Four years ago, I was lucky enough to welcome
a 19-year old refugee from Syria into my home and my family. He spoke no German and was
deeply scarred by his experience of civil war and flight. Today, 4 years later, he is fluent in
German, English and Arabic. He is a community leader by day, in vocational training and a
student for his high school degree by night. He is an inspiration for us all. One day, he wants to
go home
Defending Europe’s values
Honourable Members,
The cradle of our European civilisation is Greek philosophy and Roman Law. And our European
continent went through its darkest period when we were ruled by dictators and Rule of Law was
banished. For centuries, Europeans fought so hard for their liberty and independence.
The Rule of Law is our best tool to defend these freedoms and to protect the most vulnerable in
our Union. This is why there can be no compromise when it comes to respecting the Rule
of Law. There never will be. I will ensure that we use our full and comprehensive toolbox at
European level. In addition, I fully support an EU-wide Rule of Law Mechanism. To be clear:
the new instrument is not an alternative to the existing instruments, but an additional one.
The Commission will always be an independent guardian of the Treaties. Lady Justice is blind –
she will defend the Rule of Law wherever it is attacked.
***
Honourable Members,
The Rule of Law is universal. It applies to all. In the last five years, more than 17,000 people have
drowned in the Mediterranean, which has become one of the deadliest borders in the world. At
sea there is the duty to save lives and in our Treaties and conventions there is the legal and
moral duty to respect the dignity of every human being.
The European Union can and must defend these values. The European Union needs humane
borders. We must save, but saving alone is not enough. We must reduce irregular migration,
we must fight smugglers and traffickers – it is organised crime –, we must preserve the right to
asylum and improve the situation of refugees, for example through humanitarian corridors in
close cooperation with the UNHCR. We need empathy and decisive action.
I am aware of how difficult and divisive discussions on this issue are. We need to address the
legitimate concerns of many and look at how we can overcome our differences. I will propose a
New Pact on Migration and Asylum, including the relaunch of the Dublin reform.
This will allow us to return to a fully functioning Schengen Area of free
movement, the key driver of our prosperity, security and
freedoms. A centrepiece in this ambition is a reinforced
European Border and Coast Guard Agency. We need to
reach a standing corps of 10,000 Frontex border guards
not by 2027, but way earlier, at least by 2024.
We have to modernise our asylum system. A Common
European Asylum System must be exactly that –
common. We can only have stable external borders if we
Ursula von der Leyen – Candidate for the European Commission President
8
The cornerstone of our
collective defence will
always be NATO.
We will stay transatlantic
but we have to become
more European.
give enough help to Member States facing the most pressure because of where they are on the
map.
We need solidarity. We all need to help each other and contribute. We need a new way of
burden-sharing. And we must make fair cooperation offers to countries of origin and transit
which are in the interests of both sides. Diplomacy, economic development, investment, stability
and security are needed so that people have a perspective.
I would like to tell you a story about perspective. Four years ago, I was lucky enough to welcome
a 19-year old refugee from Syria into my home and my family. He spoke no German and was
deeply scarred by his experience of civil war and flight. Today, 4 years later, he is fluent in
German, English and Arabic. He is a community leader by day, in vocational training and a
student for his high school degree by night. He is an inspiration for us all. One day, he wants to
go home.
A new push for European democracy
Honourable Members,
When I came to Strasbourg 13 days ago, I promised I’d come to listen. I have heard your
concerns, your hopes and your expectations. The Political Guidelines which I will send you today
reflect our discussions. From what I have heard, I have drawn my conclusions and I have made
my decisions.
First, I want European citizens to play a leading and active part in building the future of
our Union. I want them to have their say at a Conference on the Future of Europe, to start in
2020 and run for two years.
Second, I want us to work together to improve the Spitzenkandidaten system. We need to
make it more visible to the wider electorate and we need to address the issue of transnational
lists at the European elections as a complementary tool of European democracy.
And third – yes, I support a right of initiative for the European Parliament. When this House,
acting by majority of its Members, adopts Resolutions requesting the Commission to submit
legislative proposals, I commit to responding with a legislative act in full respect of the
proportionality, subsidiarity, and better law-making principles.
I am convinced that our stronger partnership will further help to make people’s voices heard.
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