ISTANBUL

The European Commission president on Wednesday unveiled her new College of Commissioners and an agenda emphasizing unity, innovation, and European sovereignty.

Addressing the European Parliament, Ursula von der Leyen vowed to tackle critical challenges such as energy security, economic competitiveness, and geopolitical instability.

Citing Europe’s historical struggles for freedom, she pledged unwavering support for Ukraine and the EU accession ambitions of Western Balkans countries.

“Europe’s commitment to these countries will always be stronger than any threat from Russia,” she declared.

Von der Leyen vowed to combat these threats by enhancing energy independence, boosting defense capabilities, and deepening cooperation with NATO.

Her "Competitiveness Compass" focuses on closing innovation gaps with global rivals, advancing decarbonization while safeguarding industry competitiveness, and reducing strategic dependencies on critical raw materials – many of which, she added, are sourced from Russia or its allies.

She also pledged to tighten sanctions on Moscow, targeting sectors critical to its war efforts in Ukraine, which recently passed the 1,000-day mark.

Von der Leyen reaffirmed the bloc’s commitment to the European Green Deal, announcing a "Clean Industrial Deal" within 100 days to balance climate goals with industrial needs.

She concluded with a call for unity, urging collaboration among EU institutions to deliver results for Europeans.

"Our freedoms and sovereignty require massive investments, tough choices, and unwavering unity," she said, stressing that countering Russia’s influence remains central to protecting European values and security.