Speech by President von der Leyen at the European Parliament Plenary on the conclusions of the European Council meeting of 26-27 October 2023
European Commission
Speech
8 November 2023
Brussels
Thank you, Vice-President Marc Angel,
President Charles Michel,
Honourable Members,
The pain of innocent civilians in the Middle East shakes the conscience of the world. The situation on the ground is evolving fast. So let me focus on the work we have done since the October European Council to fulfil this mandate. The essential starting point continues to be what happened on 7 October. There is no justification for the horror that Hamas unleashed against innocent men, women, children and babies. Israel has the right to defend itself, in line with international law and international humanitarian law. Supporting Israel is essential, but so is aiding and protecting civilians in Gaza. The death toll and the suffering of Palestinian civilians is tragic. There are images we cannot unsee. This shakes us to the core - all of us. So, while Israel has the right to fight Hamas, it is also essential that it strives to avoid civilian casualties, and to be as targeted as possible. Because every human life matters, be it Israeli or Palestinian.
Let me update you on our humanitarian work. Two weeks ago, we had already tripled our aid to Gaza. This week, I have announced that we are further increasing humanitarian aid by another EUR 25 million, bringing thus the total support to EUR 100 million. And we are working hard for this aid to reach Palestinians. Convoys are now entering Gaza through the Rafah border crossing. But the volumes remain too small to match the massive humanitarian needs. This is why we are working on a maritime corridor from Cyprus. It would guarantee a sustained, regulated and robust flow of aid. I very much welcome the excellent cooperation with President Nikos Christodoulides and his government. This can make the difference between life and death for thousands of Palestinians. And we will continue to help evacuate EU citizens and injured Palestinians.
Honourable Members,
As we deal with the urgency of today, we must also make the effort to think about tomorrow. How to break the current spiral of violence. And how hope can be restored for Israelis and Palestinians. They need a political perspective. And the perspective is the two-state solution. Of course, in the end, Israelis and Palestinians will have to agree on a way forward. But we, as part of the international effort, must contribute - of course in close coordination with our friends and partners. I believe five principles for the 'day after' could help build some common ground. First, Gaza can be no safe haven for terrorists. Different ideas are being discussed on how this can be ensured. Second, the terrorist organisation Hamas cannot control or govern Gaza. There should be only one Palestinian Authority, and one Palestinian State. Third, no long-term Israeli security presence in Gaza. Because Gaza is an essential part of any future Palestinian State, and the territory of Gaza cannot be reduced or amputated in any way. Fourth, no forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. This would be a humanitarian tragedy, and also a recipe for more regional instability. Finally, no sustained blockade of Gaza. Any future Palestinian State must be viable, also from an economic point of view. And Europe stands ready to work with all people and countries in this region to make this happen. I know that all of this may look overly ambitious, as the war rages on. But I think we must spare no effort to keep the hope alive, to find a lasting solution based on two states living side by side in peace and security. It is again time for an international effort towards peace in the Middle East. And we, Europeans, must play our role.
Honourable Members,
The European Council also focused on Ukraine. I was in Kyiv a few days ago. In recent weeks, I also had the chance to visit all the Western Balkan countries, as well as Moldova. And however different these countries are, they all share one feeling. They feel that they belong in the European Union. There is a new level of vision and ambition in aspiring EU members. They are ready to work even harder to join our Union. And here in the Union too, there is a new sense of urgency to unite our European family. Today, it is clear that the stability of every country in our continent of course also affects our own stability. Their security is our security. And if our Union is not fast enough in bringing candidate countries closer, others will fill the vacuum. It is in our geopolitical interest to complete our Union to make it stronger than ever.
And it is not only about geopolitics, it is also, of course, about the economy. The completion of our Union will make the new Member States' economies grow. It will make EU companies grow. It will also make our Single Market grow, making Europe an even more attractive and stronger partner on the global stage. Prosperity is not only shared by enlargement, it is multiplied. Enlargement is in our common interest. So, we must seize this moment of opportunity to advance as much as possible towards the completion of our Union. Today, we presented the enlargement report. Let me briefly summarise some results.
First, on Ukraine. We are recommending to the Council to open accession negotiations. The progress that Ukraine has made, as it fights an existential war, is remarkable and impressive - with very clear achievements on all seven steps we have identified. Well over 90% of those steps have been completed. The remaining reforms are on their way. By March 2024, we will report back to the Council on these ongoing reforms in order to have everything ready to finalise the negotiating framework. It is very clear that the future of Ukraine is in our European Union. And this future has just begun.
We also see Moldova with its bold efforts to come closer to us. This has to be seen against the backdrop of a war in the neighbouring Ukraine and of massive Russian interference. Therefore, the report highlights the significant reforms Moldova has undertaken. We also recommend to open accession negotiations with Moldova. Here too, some remaining measures are to be finished and the Commission will report to Council on this by March. On this basis, the Council could then finalise the negotiating framework.
For Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commission recognises a number of positive political and legal steps. For example, the swift entry into office of a new Council of Ministers in January 2023. You can see that this has brought positive results. There is progress in the fight against organised crime, in the fight against money laundering and terrorism, for example. But we also note with concern the various unconstitutional laws adopted by the representatives of the Republic of Srpska entity. Against this backdrop, the Commission recommends to the Council the opening of accession negotiations, once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved. And here too, the Commission will report to the Council on progress by March 2024.
Finally, on Georgia, we see the European aspiration of the overwhelming majority of its citizens. And while these aspirations need to be better mirrored by the authorities and while further progress is needed on the 12 priorities identified last year, the Commission also acknowledges a number of positive steps. And we should encourage Georgia to move on. So, the Commission here recommends granting candidate status to Georgia, on the understanding that the government takes important reforms.
Honourable Members,
Today's package is not only a snapshot of the situation on the ground. It can and must be a driver of change. Since the very beginning of the mandate, I have deeply believed that we needed to reboot the enlargement process, in particular with the Western Balkans. Roadblocks and vetoes were hampering progress towards the European Union. Instead, we should look at every country and how it is able to advance on the accession path based on its own merits. Every new achievement should lead them closer to us. And with our new Growth Plan, that we also presented today, we are setting out very clearly a 'more for more' approach. You open your borders in your Common Regional Market, we open our Single Market in seven very important sectors. You do the reforms for a level playing field for your companies to access the Single Market, we come with investment to help you implement these reforms.
Honourable Members,
It is every country's responsibility to turn the page and make the strategic choice for Europe. And, of course, in parallel, we, the European Union, also need to lay the necessary internal groundwork and reforms.
In other words: Let us get to work. Long live Europe.
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