EU Commission chief calls for security architecture and economic autonomy in State of the Union speech
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for defense expansion and economic self-reliance during her sixth State of the Union address in Brussels.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her sixth State of the Union address in Brussels, urging EU member states to construct a new security architecture and reduce strategic economic reliance on powers like China and the United States. Characterizing the bloc as both stronger and more vulnerable, she called for greater self-reliance amid geopolitical conflicts, high energy costs, and climate shocks.
Von der Leyen highlighted economic competitiveness, stating that the EU must ensure it is "easy to do business, easy to invest and easy to scale up." She outlined priorities spanning defense expansion, migration reform, critical raw material supply chains, and climate resilience, referencing recent Croatian wildfires. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the session as part of efforts to reinforce strategic alliances.
Sources: HRT Vijesti, Index, Poslovni dnevnik
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