“Determination, unity and leadership,” said European Council President Charles Michel, sent by the EU with its latest decisions on Ukraine to open accession negotiations and approve a new financial aid program for the country . The EU “will not be intimidated by Russia” and will support Ukraine “as long as necessary”, he added. Michel reiterated the EU’s promise to provide more munitions to the country and said that “every euro mobilized for Ukraine is an investment in our own security, prosperity and stability.”
Regarding the Middle East, President Michel said the EU must do everything possible to prevent a regional escalation of the conflict, respond to the humanitarian emergency and continue to advocate for the two-state solution. Reaffirming that respect for international law is in the EU’s DNA, he strongly rejected the application of “double standards” when assessing this conflict. Michel said he was understanding of the discontent and complaints of European farmers and called for dialogue to be able to provide them with a convincing response.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the agreement on a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine provides strong predictability for the country for the next four years. “This is what it means to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. » Regarding the first ever review of the EU’s long-term budget, she stressed that the EU now has the financial resources to tackle some of the challenges it faces in this decade.
Referring to the farmers’ protests, President von der Leyen said that “our European food production system is unique and our farmers produce the highest quality food in the world, and they must be paid fairly.” She announced that the Commission would withdraw its proposal on pesticide reduction and that by the end of summer a report based on the results of the strategic dialogue on the future of agriculture in the EU would present options for possible future reforms.
MPs representing the majority in Parliament reaffirmed that the defense of Ukraine is the defense of Europe. They expressed their unwavering support for the country and noted that the delivery of arms and ammunition must be accelerated. Some MPs raised the idea of using frozen Russian assets and worrying political developments in the United States, while others sounded the alarm about the threat of a war that would extend beyond of Ukraine and warned that the ongoing arms race was unsustainable.
Regarding recent farmer protests, most speakers said a new approach was needed for the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and any upcoming legislation for the green transition, and highlighted the dual policy objective of ensuring farmers’ livelihoods and securing EU food production. Most MPs stressed the need to find solutions to address these issues simultaneously, and many warned against populist voices seeking to politicize this complex issue. Some have called for more direct financial support for farmers or restrictions on the importation of agricultural products.
You can watch the debate here
Originally published in The European Times.
source link eu news
