– Another great era, our next great uniform project must come from independent Europe – said Ursula von der Leyen in Aachen, adopting the prize of Charlemagne. – To build an independent Europe, we must drop our shackles She added.
Referring to the growing European fears of excessive dependence on the United States, von der Leyen defined Independence as the next stage in a number of historical European projects – such as ensuring peace after World War II, shaping the common market and currency, and the unification of Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1989.
Identified four main tasks to lead to independence: providing peace by increasing defense expenditure; Strengthening innovation and competitiveness to stimulate growth; EU extension As part of what she described as “historical union”; and Renewal and strengthening of democracy in order to protect the member countries against internal and external threats.
Awarding the Charles Wielki Award Ursula von der Leyen. Aachen, May 29, 2025
– the fact that we now enable financing of up to EUR 800 billion [ok. 3,4 mld zł] It would be impossible to defend a few years ago, ”said von der Leyen. – We do it because We want to defend the peace of all our strength. […] The new international order will emerge before the end of this decade. If we do not just want to accept its consequences for Europe and the world, we must shape this new order.
A larger, united Europe would give the continent more important in the world and would help reduce dependencies, suggested von der Leyen, referring to the accession of Ukraine, Western Balkans, Moldova and – “hopefully” – Georgia as the main task.
– I am deeply convinced that history is calling us now. As in 1989, when the wind of change swept through Europe She continued.
The head of the commission received the Charlemagne award for “her merits to the unity of the Member States, in stopping the pandemic, for the unity of the Union's determination in defense against Russia – and for the impulse to the green order.” The award is named after the Frankish king of Charlemagnewhich in the 9th century united a significant part of Western and Central Europe as part of the Holy Roman Empire.
