Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Ursula von der Leyen praised the EU for coming together against the challenges of the last 12 months, Source: European Commission
Ursula von der Leyen quoted Robert Schuman and said: "Europe needs a soul, an ideal, and the political will to serve it"
Today, President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen gave her annual State of the European Union address, summarising the last year and outlining the future priorities of the Commission and the whole of the EU.
President Von der Leyen began her speech by thanking her colleges in the Commission, Parliament and the 27 Member states for their collective initiative in rising up and meeting the challenges of the past year. She read out a quote by Robert Schuman – the first President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the EU, serving from 1958 to 1960, considered to be one of the founding fathers of the European Union.
The quote said: “Europe needs a soul, an ideal, and the political will to serve this ideal”.
Ursula von der Leyen stressed that Europe has brought those words to life in the past 12 months by the decision to face 2020’s challenges together. She said that during the biggest global health crisis in over a century, the EU had the courage to go at it together so that every part of Europe has access to lifesaving vaccines.
The President of the EU Commission continued by explaining that during the deepest global economic crisis in decades, the Union chose to go at it together with NextGenerationEU. Finally, she said that in the greatest planetary crisis of all time, again, the EU chose to go at it together with the European Green deal.
She finished the introduction by thanking everyone for their work: “We did that together as Commission, as Parliament, as 27 Member States. As one Europe. And we can be proud of it.”
President Von der Leyen continued the State of the Union address by outlining the future challenges and projects the block needs to face. First of all, she explained that everyone in Europe owes a debt to young people for their dedication to the fight against the pandemic. She remarked rather sadly about the many things citizens have lost, including time itself.
This is why the EU’s whole next year will be dedicated to strengthening the youth. She continued: “Our Union will be stronger if it is more like our next generation: reflective, determined and caring. Grounded in values and bold in action. This spirit will be more important than ever over the next twelve months.”
On the other hand, the Commission needs to tackle so many issues, coming up as a consequence of the pandemic, the economic crisis, the climate catastrophe and rising diplomatic tensions, as well as a possible new refugee crisis.
Von der Leyen presented the Commission’s plans for the coming year. They will, among others, include:
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
The previous mayor was forced out of office following a no-confidence vote in the city council
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
Modern traffic lights do more than regulate the flow of vehicles at crossroads, they also collect enormous amounts of data
The German Aerospace Center in Cologne is looking for volunteers for its next bed rest study
Muksubussi is nature-friendly, too, so they provide 2-in-1 benefit
The facility will replace the need to have water supplied by tankers from Valencia
The intervention has affected the mountainous districts of the Catalan capital
Even an Eternal City had to start from somewhere
On this day 200 years ago, the great poet lost his life in the Balkan country where he had gone to fight for its liberty
Muksubussi is nature-friendly, too, so they provide 2-in-1 benefit
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team