State of European Union: European Commission President Juncker delivers annual speech

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Europe

02:57

President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, has delivered his fourth state of the union speech before lawmakers at the European Parliament's historical seat in Strasbourg. Entering his final year in office, did he provide a European vision for the future? CGTN's Mariam Zaidi has the story.

When Jean-Claude Juncker took over the reigns of the EU Commission in 2014, he promised that this would be 'the commission of the last chance saloon'. That either Europe would reclaim its values to champion the will of the people or the bloc would falter.

But major crises during his tenure, from the economic downturn to migration and terrorism have created a vacuum for populists, extremists and nationalists across the block.

So with a 12 month countdown on his Presidency, would he set out a bold direction in his final State of the Union address.

JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKEREUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT "External borders must be better protected. We propose an additional 10,000 European border guards by 2020. And we are proposing to accelerate the return of irregular migrants."

Juncker also detailed plans to create a free trade agreement with Africa. Turning the historical relationship away from charity to real partnership.

On Brexit he offered some support to embattled UK Prime Minister Theresa May.

JEAN-CLAUDE JUNCKER EUROPEAN COMMISSION PRESIDENT "After 29 March 2019, the United Kingdom will never be an ordinary third country for us. The United Kingdom will always be a very close neighbour and partner, in political, economic and security terms."

But was this the speech MEPs had come to hear?

RYSZARD LEGUTKOCHAIR OF EUROPEAN CONSERVATIVES AND REFORMIST GROUP "My god we are living in two different worlds."

GUY VERHOFSTADTCHAIR OF THE LIBERALS GROUP "I find it so terrifying that somebody here gives us lessons about unity in Europe and then trying with his government to go against rule of law. Has he forgotten what Europe was in between the two world wars."

One stark victory Juncker left off the table. The deal he secured with US President Donald Trump over the Summer that averted a looming EU-US trade war. A Brussels based analyst sees why.

GUNTRAM WOLFF DIRECTOR, BRUEGEL ECONOMIC THINK TANK "I guess the reason why he did that is that this speech will also be listened to in Washington and I guess the one thing you don't want is to give a triumphant speech that I won over Donald Trump."

MARIAM ZAIDIBRUSSELS "And in Strasbourg on Wednesday, MEP's triggered a motion against Hungary for violating core EU values for its crackdown on basic freedoms and rule of law. Sanctions now rest in the hands of Member States. Will they stand up for the democracy that the EU was built on. Mariam Zaidi CGTN Brussels."