On 16 September, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her first-ever annual State of the European Union (SOTEU) address in which she highlighted achievements of her Commission, took stock of the actions during the global pandemic as well as the current state of the world, and outlined the next steps in the road to recovery.

“People want to move out of this corona world, out of this fragility, out of uncertainty. They are ready for change and they are ready to move on. This is the moment for Europe to lead the way from this fragility towards a new vitality,” President von der Leyen said in her address, while mentioning the need for a stronger European Health Union and crisis preparedness, among others.

Reacting to von der Leyen’s address, ALDE Party President Hans van Baalen commented:

“I fully support Ursula von der Leyen’s priorities included in her State of the Union address. I agree with a stronger coordinating role for the EU in health matters, especially when it comes to COVID-19. We need a bold position towards China and Russia as strategic rivals and there should be no compromises with the UK and Turkey when treaties and international law is breached. However, the EU institutions as well as the Member States should now put their money where their mouth is.”

Read more here.