The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her annual speech to the European Parliament, assessed the state of the EU, the challenges and prospects for the development of the European Union. The focus of the EU is the war in Ukraine, the energy crisis and climate challenges.
Solidarity with Ukraine
Russian aggression in Ukraine and opposition to it was the main topic of Ursula von der Leyen's speech. The President of the European Commission noted that the EU has already allocated 19 billion euros to help Ukraine, and said that this solidarity and determination are more important than ever. The EU will continue to strongly support Ukraine and its people. In order for the children of Ukraine to be able to study again as soon as possible, the EU will allocate 100 million euros for the reconstruction of Ukrainian schools. Soon, Ukrainians will be freed from the need to pay for roaming in the EU. Residents of the European Union will also not pay for roaming in Ukraine.
Energy crisis
The sanctions imposed by the EU against Russia also demonstrate strong support for Ukraine. Sanctions will not be lifted at least until the end of the war. The sanctions themselves and Russia's energy blackmail have led to a sharp rise in energy prices. The EU plans to diversify energy supplies as soon as possible and get out of dependence on Russian energy carriers. The EU will no longer depend on gas supplies from Russia.
Measures taken by the European Union should soon reduce the price of energy for EU households and businesses. It is planned to withdraw up to a third of the windfall profits that fossil fuel companies receive. The funds will go to support people and companies facing difficulties due to rising energy prices. They will set a price ceiling for electricity - the maximum price will be 180 euros per megawatt-hour (this is about half the current price).
Fight against climate change
The EU is expected to face serious climate challenges in the long term. The destructive power of extreme weather is too great for nations to fight alone, as the numerous wildfires last summer proved. As natural disasters become more frequent, the EU needs more capacity to deal with them and deal with their consequences. For example, the number of firefighting aircraft is planned to double next year.
An important tool for overcoming the climate crisis is investment in renewable energy sources. It is planned to provide loans to companies that want to switch to hydrogen, for which they will create the European Hydrogen Bank (3 billion euros will be allocated for its creation). From 2030, the EU is expected to produce about ten million tons of sustainable hydrogen annually.
Other important questions
In connection with the war in Ukraine and the energy crisis, pressure on small and medium-sized businesses has increased. To support it, the Befit program is being introduced, which will facilitate doing business in the EU.
Across the EU, companies are facing shortages of staff and the EU will work closely with businesses to help address these. For example, it is planned to invest more in training and advanced training of employees. In order to attract labor from outside the EU, the EU will facilitate the process of nostrification of foreign documents on education and qualifications. 2023 will be declared the European Year of Learning and Development.
In addition, von der Leyen said it was time for a new European convention. This will consolidate the generational connection of the EU countries, noted in the European treaties. The previous Convention on the Future of the European Union took place from February 28, 2002 to July 10, 2003. It resulted in a draft European constitution.
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