Six highlights as Juncker calls for EU to amplify global voice

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Europe

02:37

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, emphasized strength through unity as he delivered his fourth and final State of the Union speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday.

Speaking in the European Parliament, Juncker hit out at "unhealthy" nationalism and called for a "strong and united Europe" to be a more influential player on the world stage.

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The Commission president said Britain could not be part of the single market post-Brexit, championed multilateralism and called for a strengthened international role for the euro, while also proposing a boost in EU border guards and a Europe-Africa free trade agreement.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker delivers a speech during a debate on The State of the European Union at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, September 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

Here are six key messages from the Juncker address:

1. Flex EU muscles

The EU must become a more influential player on the world stage, Juncker argued, adding that "European diplomacy must be conducted in the singular" to shape global policy.

"I want Europe to get off the side-lines of world affairs. Europe can no longer be a spectator or a mere commentator of international events. Europe must be an active player, an architect of tomorrow's world."

Juncker proposed a switch to qualified majority voting on matters of foreign policy, and some tax matters, rather than votes by unanimity, a change that would prevent the frustration of foreign policy aims by single members.

He also pledged to continue work "night and day" to strengthen common defense mechanisms, while insisting "we will not militarize the European Union."

2. End internal divisions

Juncker warned that in a "more volatile than ever" world, Europe must overcome internal divisions, "reject unhealthy nationalism and embrace enlightened patriotism."

"In order to stand on its own two feet, Europe must move forward as one. To love Europe is to love its nations. To love your nation is to love Europe. Patriotism is a virtue. Unchecked nationalism is riddled with both poison and deceit."

He also put Europe's internal divisions in an electoral context, with European parliament elections scheduled for May 2019. "By the elections, we must show that Europe can overcome differences between North and South, East and West, left and right."

"I want us to do more to bring together the East and West of Europe. It is time we put an end to the sorry spectacle of a divided Europe. Our continent and those who brought an end to the Cold War deserve better."

3. Migration, migration, migration

Juncker took the migration issue – central to EU politics over the past three years – on directly, firmly rejecting the imposition of internal borders and putting forward proposals to strengthen the EU's Coast and Border Guard with an additional 10,000 guards by 2020.

He said illegal arrivals have been reduced drastically but "leadership and a spirit of compromise" were needed to create permanent solutions, adding that legal pathways for skilled migrants remained vital for the EU.

"I call on the Austrian Council Presidency to make decisive steps so that we have proper solutions for a balanced reform of the asylum system. We can't be talking every time about ad-hoc solutions for the people on board."

4. Euro in a multilateral world

Juncker said that the euro should be used more effectively, echoing words of presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok on Tuesday in respect of the Chinese and Russian currencies.

"The euro must become the face and the instrument of a new, more sovereign Europe," he said.

"It is absurd that Europe pays for 80 percent of its energy import bill – worth 300 billion euros a year – in US dollars when only roughly two percent of our energy imports come from the United States," Juncker added. "It is absurd that European companies buy European planes in dollars instead of euro."

He also stressed that Europe must and will champion multilateralism and counter protectionism. "Europe will never be a fortress, turning its back on the world or those suffering within it. Europe is not an island. It must and will champion multilateralism. The world we live in belongs to all and not a select few."

5. Europe-Africa FTA

Juncker described Africa as "the future" and stressed that the continent needs a "true and balanced partnership" – Europe needs this partnership just as much, he added.

An increase in cooperation through reciprocal commitments should culminate in a "continent-to-continent free trade agreement, as an economic partnership between equals."

He claimed that a new EU-Africa alliance would create 10 million jobs in Africa over five years.

6. Brexit regrets

Juncker said he "respected" but "regretted" Britain's decision to leave the EU, and laid out three principles as negotiations continue: a country outside the bloc must not have the same privileges as a member state; the EU will always show solidarity with Ireland over the border issue; the UK will always be a close political, economic and security partner.

In saying "If you leave the Union, you are of course no longer part of our single market, and certainly not only in the parts of it you choose," he appeared to dash part of Britain's Brexit plan.

However, Juncker applauded Prime Minister Theresa May's call for UK-EU free trade area, emphasized his support for EU negotiator Michel Barnier, and said the Commission is ready to work "night and day to reach a deal."

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