Ursula von der Leyen receives Charlemagne Prize: ‘Europe from the Western Balkans to Ukraine and Moldova’

On 29 May, in the German city of Aachen, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the Charlemagne Prize, in honour of “an outstanding leader who is guiding the EU through a period of profound transformation with vision, courage, strength and foresight”, as the Prize’s board explained.

In her acceptance speech, Ursula von der Leyen described what she sees as the next great European project: building an independent Europe. 

She said that Europe must take things in its own hands and build its own future, free from coercion and aggression: “​​A Union that stands up for its values and interests on the global stage… A Union that provides stability across Europe.”

She added that Europe does not only mean the EU: “When I say Europe, I of course mean our Union. But I also mean doing this together with our friends and partners across the continent. From the Western Balkans to Ukraine and Moldova. From Greenland to the United Kingdom and beyond. We have a duty to provide that stability on our continent and a perspective for the future together.”

President von der Leyen outlined four “key imperatives” to build an independent Europe. One of them is working on the “next historical reunification” of the European continent. 

“A larger, reunified European Union will strengthen our voice in the world. It will help reduce our dependencies. It will ensure that democracy, prosperity and stability are strengthened across Europe. Of course, accession will always be a merit-based process,” von der Leyen said. 

She also compared the current situation with a historic turning point for Europe in 1989, “when the winds of change swept across Europe”. 

“We see every day in Ukraine what fighting for freedom means. We have seen the sacrifices people are willing to make for the last three and a half years,” von der Leyen said. “So yes, this is a historic moment. And we must not let it pass us by. We must answer that call. For Ukraine. For the Western Balkans. For Moldova. Hopefully for Georgia. For all those who have made their choice. For a free and peaceful future inside our Union. For a stronger and independent Europe.”

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Press release

Speech by President von der Leyen at the award ceremony of the International Charlemagne Prize of Aachen