Von Der Leyen, EU Commissioners Head to Aarhus for Danish EU Presidency
As Denmark assumes the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU, the College of Commissioners led by President von der Leyen visited Aarhus, on the Jutland peninsula. They were hosted by the King and Queen of Denmark and by the Danish government.
During the visit, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and her government met the College to exchange on the policy topics that will dominate the agenda for the next six months. President von der Leyen and the Prime Minister held a press conference in which they highlighted the shared priorities between the Commission and the Danish presidency. President von der Leyen commended in particular Denmark’s fast and focused approach, which promises to deliver for the EU.
The President stressed the need to move forward on European defence, competitiveness, global partnerships, migration, and the EU’s support for Ukraine.
She mentioned that the implementation of SAFE, with its €150 billion for joint procurements on defence, is getting closer. She also spoke of the need to continue working to lower energy prices while keeping the course towards climate neutrality: “We will work with your Presidency to include our 2040 climate targets in European law. We presented them yesterday together with enabling components. They will provide businesses with the predictability they need to invest and pave the way to 2050 climate neutrality. We stay the course on our goals, but, on the way, we are flexible, adaptable and pragmatic.”
On trade, she reiterated the hope to reach a deal with the United States but insisted that the EU is preparing for all scenarios. At the same time, the EU should continue making progress with partners such as Mexico, Mercosur, and India. On migration, the President pleaded for the Danish presidency to make progress on the returns proposal, the safe third country concept and the safe countries of origin.
Continued and unwavering support for Ukraine
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also travelled to Aarhus on this occasion and met with President von der Leyen, Prime Minister Frederiksen and the President of the European Council, António Costa.
The invitation is a demonstration of the EU’s commitment to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against the Russian invasion.
President von der Leyen expressed confidence on the Danish presidency to bring the 18th package of sanctions against Russia to the finish line. “We all know that Putin does not want peace, so we need to put pressure on him to come to the negotiating table,” she said.
She also said that the EU will continue supporting Ukraine’s defence, including by investing the windfall profits from immobilised Russian assets and enabling Ukraine to participate in SAFE on the same footing as EU Member States. And she insisted that she will continue to accompany Ukraine in its accession path: “We are working hard on your accession process. We are preparing for your future as a free and modern country inside the European Union.”
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ac_25_1736