European Commission’s (EU) President Ursula von der Leyen addressed the European Parliament today in her speech about the State of the Union 2023 assessing the performance of several well-known policy initiatives such and the implementation of new ones in relation to the ‘EU Green Deal’, ‘A Europe fit for the digital age’, ‘A stronger Europe in the world’, ‘Promoting our European way of life’, ‘A new push for European democracy’, and, ‘An economy that works for people’. In the context of the EU Green Deal, von der Leyen emphasised its importance in the face of increasing environmental challenges, such as wildfires and floods. The EU Green Deal is still seen as a crucial framework for protecting the planet while also promoting economic growth. Moreover, the EU Commission’s President highlighted successes in industries like clean steel and hydrogen production, emphasizing the need for continued support for European industry in this transition.
Von der Leyen also stressed the importance of Europe’s rich cultural and biological diversity, highlighting the need for the preservation of unique habitats and biodiversity in the face of climate change. In addition, she expressed gratitude to farmers for their role in providing food, acknowleding the challenges they face, and called for a strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU. Von der Leyen added that agriculture and environmental protection can coexist, and that both are necessary for a sustainable future.
