EU Commission chief calls for creation of 'independent Europe'

• German Chancellor Friedrich Merz vows support for strengthening and defending Europe

BERLIN

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday called for the establishment of “an independent Europe," which would ultimately pave the way for a “new international order this decade.”

"An independent Europe—I know this message sounds scary to many. But at its core, this is about our freedom," said von der Leyen in the western German city of Aachen, where she received the country’s prestigious Charlemagne Prize.

One must not give in to the misconception that everything will return to how it was before, she said.

"It won't happen that way" because geopolitical tensions are extremely high. The world is being shaped once more by imperial powers and imperial wars, "by great powers that are prepared to use all means, fair and unfair, to gain an advantage," she explained.

Von der Leyen said Europe is facing determined enemies of democracy, claiming: "There is no more striking example of this than (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's brutal, ruthless war against Ukraine."

Therefore, the need to invest in European security is becoming increasingly urgent as "a new international order will emerge this decade," she added, emphasizing that this new order must be shaped in Europe.

"Our mission is European independence," she underscored.

When it comes to the economic sphere, the EU wants to further deepen its trade partnership with the US, according to von der Leyen. However, the EU Commission president also pointed to economic potential elsewhere.

"But we also know that 87 percent of global trade takes place with other countries, all of which are seeking stability and looking for opportunities. And Europe can provide that,” she said.

German chancellor vows support for strengthening and defending Europe

Meanwhile, Chancellor Friedrich Merz pledged Germany's support for strengthening and defending Europe.

Europe has been successful as a peace project internally, Merz said at von der Leyen’s award ceremony, alluding to past wars in Europe.

Now Europe must also become a peace project externally, which “includes our historic task of making Europe so strong that it can restore peace on our continent and permanently secure freedom. Germany stands ready to move forward with the utmost determination in this task, in close coordination with our European partners and neighbors," he added.

Merz vowed that his government would continue to support Ukraine "with all our strength,” urging European defense industries to boost cooperation.

"We Germans are ready to make far-reaching decisions at the NATO summit in June," he said.

According to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, the alliance states are likely to agree on defense spending totaling five percent of economic output.