President of the European Commission Jean-Cloude Juncker was in Berlin yesterday at the “Social partners and employers in dialogue” event hosted by the Confederation of German Employers’ Association, during which he recalled historical achievements of the EU, notably the single currency, the internal market and peace in Europe: “It is one of the great European successes that we, not the leaders of nations but the nations themselves, have managed to ensure a lasting peace in Europe“.
President Juncker also spoke about the European Union’s future and its current challenges. Speaking of the Paris Climate agreement and EU’s commitment to the climate goals, he reiterated that the Paris Agreement is an international treaty with legal obligations: “It’s not just about the future of humanity in Europe; above all it’s about the future of people elsewhere. 83 countries are at risk of disappearing from the map as sea levels rise, if we are not resolute in initiating the fight against climate change”.
Speaking of the potential of a digital single market in the EU, President Juncker highlighted that “The future is digital, and we must recognise that and we must move in that direction”.
He also called for a more efficient defence spending in the EU: “178 weapons systems in Europe – 30 weapons systems in the USA. For a Europe of defence, we must advance something more rational”.
