President
Charles Michel

Today we turn a new page. You can count on me to give it my best for the good of all Europeans. 

Nothing worth having comes easily... But we did it! The EU will be climate neutral by 2050.

Things will inevitably change but our friendship will remain. We start a new chapter as partners and allies.

Containing the spread of the virus, providing sufficient medical equipment, boosting research and limiting the economic fallout is key. (…) If we stick together and take care of each other, we will come out stronger and more united than ever.

This virus knows no borders. We must act now, making the best use of available time and resources. Otherwise, the pandemic will hit Africa particularly hard, prolonging the crisis globally. We must instate an immediate moratorium on all bilateral and multilateral debt payments, both public and private, until the pandemic has passed.

We trade on average over one billion euros a day. The EU is China’s first trading partner. But we need to resolve concrete problems — market access, subsidies, regulatory issues, public procurement, forced technology transfers, a level playing field and WTO reforms.

We did it! We have reached a deal on the recovery package and the European budget for 2021-2027. This is a strong deal. And most importantly, the right deal for Europe right now.

Shocked by the scale of the disaster, touched by the resilience of the people of Beirut and impressed by the courage of the rescuers. The EU teams are deployed alongside you; I promise you that Europe will always be there to help you rebuild.

The people of Belarus have the right to decide on their future and freely elect their leader. Violence against protesters is unacceptable and cannot be allowed.

I'm deeply moved by the difficult situation of those stranded on Lesbos. The EU won’t turn a blind eye to the challenge. It's our responsibility to support the frontline countries like Greece. Migration requires a coherent EU response based on values that bring us together.

With the establishment of the 2nd biggest single market in the world, the euro currency, the enlargement and the Lisbon treaty, Europe has become a world power without actually being aware of it. (…) Our strategic autonomy must pursue three objectives. One: stability. Two: disseminating our standards. And three: promoting our values.

EU solidarity with Cyprus and Greece is unwavering. Sovereignty and sovereign rights must be respected. We welcomed the start of a confidence building dialogue between Greece and Turkey. We strongly condemn violations of the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus.

We are determined to fight the pandemic together – as a global community, in line with our values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. (...) The EU and Canada also cooperate on Covid vaccines, treatments and tests to make sure all people have fair and affordable access.

In the face of this exceptional crisis, we must act swiftly and determinedly. Over the past few months, we have witnessed both setbacks and successes. However, the storm is not yet over. We are all in the same boat. (…) What we need is a Union of tests and vaccines.

Our first duty is to safeguard our citizens. Then, we must halt the progression in which misunderstanding leads to mistrust, and mistrust to hatred. And replace it with a circle of the opposite kind: dialogue, understanding and trust. 

Now is the time to join forces. In a changing world, our partnership will be more important than ever to protect our citizens, relaunch our economies, stop global warming and create a safer world. The EU and the US will always have more impact when taking steps together.