Watch live: Von der Leyen delivers EU ‘State of the Union’ speech
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Watch live: Von der Leyen delivers EU ‘State of the Union’ speech

16 September 2020, 11:02
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EU chief Ursula von der Leyen will deliver her first landmark state of the union address on Wednesday.

The speech, delivered to MEPs, traditionally sets out the European Commission’s priorities for the coming year.

_Watch the address live in the video player above from 09.15 CEST. See below for live text updates. _

The challenges facing Europe and the European Union are enormous. The coronavirus pandemic is continuing to cause havoc across the continent, threatening a major health and economic crisis in the winter.

The fire in the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos last week left thousands of migrants without shelter. Yet an agreement on EU migration policy appears as far away as ever.

One of the new president’s flagship policies, the European Green Deal was announced with much pomp and fanfare and a further reduction in emissions could be announced.

Far and near, the EU is facing hostile actors and foreign policy challenges: from an emboldened China and Russia to crises in the East Mediterranean and Belarus.

And then there is Brexit, as the struggle to reach a deal with the UK on trade and future relations comes to a head, while major changes beckon from January after the transition period expires.

09:55
If others follow our lead, we can meet Paris accord goals. We resolve to meet this target. It will create jobs and more than halve air pollution. We must adapt energy policies. The Green Deal is about more than cutting emissions. We need to change how we approach nature – we will tackle everything from hazardous chemicals to pollution.
37% of Next Generation EU will be spent directly on Green Deal projects.
We set a target of 30% of NGEU 750bn euros to be raised for green bonds.
NGEU projects also will develop more charging points and hydrogen projects.
Buildings generate over 40% of emissions, they must become more sustainable. I want NGEU to kickstart a transformation. It needs to be a new cultural project for Europe.
We will use digital technology to build a greener society, we will do it together to propel Europe forward.
09:48
The climate has continued to get hotter and we see the consequences – from Mont Blanc to crops destroyed in Romania. We cherish green space, we know change is needed. The European Green Deal is our blueprint for change.
We’ve looked at our 2050 goals and held widespread consultation;
We propose to reduce emissions by at least 55% by 2030.
09:46
We presented a new industry strategy in March, the last 6 months have accelerated the transformation. We will adapt our competition framework.
All this will help Europe get back on its feet.
09:44
The third enduring promise is that of opportunity. Our economies are linked, the Single Market is about opportunity for consumers, companies and industry. We must make th most of freedoms we cherish as Europeans.
We must tear down the barriers of the Single Market and cut red tape. Step up enforcement and restore the four freedoms as soon as possible. A fully functioning Schengen area. We will propose a new strategy for Schengen.
09:42
The second promise of the social market is stability. The Commission triggered measures to increase flexibility to help people across the union, from Croatia to Denmark. The EU has put in place its own measures to complement those of member states.
But the forecasts predict a 12% drop in GDP in the 2nd quarter. Uncertainty lingers, this is not the time to withdraw financial support. There’s a delicate balance between ensuring support and fiscal stability.
We need a strong monetary union, confidence in the euro is strong. We must reform economies and continue banking reform. Let’s complete this project.
09:38
She is grateful the European Parliament has proposed more funding and remedy the cuts proposed by the European Council.
On health: We will reinforce European Medicines Agency. More development of supply chains. I will convene a Global Health Summit next year in Italy.
On the economy, our schemes work to help people and businesses. The SURE scheme is an example. If 40 million people applied for help under schemes, 16 countries received almost 90 billion euros from SURE. This is real European solidarity in action. In our union the dignity of work must be sacred. We have put forward a framework to support member states implement minimum wages.
09:33
People in Europe are suffering, she says. Our first priority is to be there for those who need it. The European Single Market economy can deliver, it is a human economy that protects us and helps us absorb shocks, promoting opportunity and prosperity.
Europe must protect lives and livelihoods, especially with the pandemic not letting up.
Health systems and workers have produced miracles and the EU has done more than ever before.
While national states closed borders, the EU worked to deliver resources across the continent. We need to develop a stronger union, she adds.
09:30
We have the vision, we have a plan, we have the investment, von der Leyen says. She adds she will not present every initiative but will outline the plan for the next 12 months.
09:28
The Commission president begins with a tribute to those in the frontline fighting the coronavirus pandemic — and says people are now ready for change.
This year the pandemic saw people turn fear into confidence in the European Union, she says.
09:08

Hello, this is Alasdair Sandford and I’ll be bringing you live updates on EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s State of the Union address.

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