Ursula von der Leyen calls on EU to become a force in facing global challenges
In her annual State of the Union address, the European Commission president adopted an assertive tone as Europe grapples with Chinese competition, Russian threats, and American disengagement, while remaining dependent on energy imports and lagging in artificial intelligence.
Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual State of the Union address to the European Parliament in a notably assertive tone, according to France 24's program "On va plus loin."
The speech comes at a time when the European Union faces multiple challenges: growing economic competition from China, persistent threats attributed to Russia, and a gradual withdrawal of the United States from the continent, according to analyses presented during the broadcast.
Speakers Zyad Limam, Anne Corpet, and Pierre Benazet, the latter speaking from Brussels, examined the extent to which the European Union has the means necessary to establish itself as a genuine power on the international stage.
Among the structural vulnerabilities discussed are Europe's energy dependence and its lag in artificial intelligence, two issues considered critical to the continent's competitiveness and strategic autonomy in the face of major world powers.
The European Commission president's speech thus fits into a broader debate about the European Union's capacity to simultaneously respond to external geopolitical pressures and its own technological and energy limitations.
Sources
- Europe : prête pour la puissance ? — France 24 — Français
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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