The next five years will not be easier, said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after the new European Commissioners were sworn in before the Court of Justice of the EU. In her speech dedicated to this event, she noted that the European Commissioners today promise to do everything in their power to protect the EU, BTA writes.
According to Von der Leyen, attempts to change the international order aimed at instilling fear and division in democratic societies will continue. Personal freedoms should never be taken for granted, the EC and the Court of Justice of the EU are guardians of the rule of law, democracy and social progress, she added.
Global competition is getting fiercer. Today we rely on competitiveness, but in other parts of the world there are opinions that competitiveness is achieved at the expense of partners, that breaking common rules gives an advantage. In Europe, we know that it is exactly the opposite, said von der Leyen.
She promised a large-scale reduction of European requirements for economic activity, without this being at the expense of workers and nature. According to her, the EU needs a stable legal environment.
Our values are universal and do not change, but the world around us is changing, we must constantly find new ways to fulfill our responsibilities, the EC President pointed out. Von der Leyen noted that the EU is founded on respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including those of people belonging to minorities.