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.

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

state of the Union

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

state of the European Union 2021 (T)

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

<p>SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Thank you, Mrs President, honorable members. I think many are the people who feel their lives have been on pause while the world has been on Fastforward. Because of the speed of the events and the enormity of the challenges are sometimes very difficult to grasp and this has also been a time of soul searching. People are reevaluating their own lives. We are having wider debates on shared vaccines and shared values, but as I look back on this past year and if I look at the State of the Union today, I see a strong soul in everything what we do.</p>

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, It was Robert Schuman who said "Europe needs a soul", an ideal and the political will to serve this ideal. And Europe has brought those words to life in the last 12 months. In the biggest global health crisis for a century, we chose to go it together so that every part of Europe had access to the lifesaving vaccines. In the deepest global economic crisis for decades, we chose to go it together with next generation EU.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, And in the gravest planetary crisis of all time, again, we chose to go it together. With the European green deal. We did it together as a Commission and I think from the bottom of my heart, my outstanding college of commissioners for the enormous support during that time, we did it together as a Parliament with 27 member states as one Europe. And I think we can be proud of it.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, But Corona times are not over. And there's still much greive in our society as the pandemic lingers. There are hearts we can never mend. Life stories we can never finish. And time we can never give back to our youngs. We face new and enduring challenges in a world recovering and fracturing unevenly. So there's no question the next year will be another test of character. But I believe it is when you are tested that your spirit, your soul, truly shines through. And as I look across our union, I know that Europe will pass the test.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, And what gives me that confidence is the inspiration we can draw from Europe's young people. Because our youth put meaning. Into empathy and solidarity. They believe we have a responsibility towards the planet. And while they are anxious about the future, they are determined to make it better. Our union will be stronger if it is more like our next generation reflective, determined and caring, grounded in values and bold in action. And this spirit will be more important than ever over the next 12 months. This is the message in the letter of intent I sent this morning to President Sassoli and Prime Minister Jan&scaron;a to outline our priorities for the year ahead.