On Wednesday, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, held a press conference in Brussels to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the EU’s expansion, which included Poland’s accession.
During the conference, she reflected on the lessons learned from Poland’s experience and the importance of listening to Central European countries’ concerns about Russia.
Von der Leyen acknowledged that the EU should have paid closer attention to the warnings from Central European countries, such as Poland, regarding Russia’s intentions.
She emphasized that these countries have valuable experience dealing with Russia’s neighborhood and that the EU could have taken decisive action earlier to address the growing threat.
Von der Leyen (Credits: POLITICO.eu)
Despite this, von der Leyen expressed her gratitude for the strong and united Europe that exists today, which has enabled a robust response to Russia’s aggression. She characterized the 20th anniversary of the EU’s expansion as a “day of joy” and a “fantastic event” that has fundamentally changed Europe for the better.
The President of the European Commission highlighted the numerous benefits of EU membership, including the strong economic development and the creation of the world’s largest single market. As a result, the EU’s voice has become stronger on the global stage, enabling it to promote its values and interests more effectively.
Von der Leyen (Credits: The Guardian)
Von der Leyen’s statement emphasized the importance of listening to and learning from the experiences of Central European countries, particularly in relation to Russia. By doing so, the EU can strengthen its position and respond more effectively to emerging challenges, finally contributing to a more united and prosperous Europe.
