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ANTIGUA-POLITICS-Foreign Minister defends relationship with China

Antigua and Barbuda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, E.P Chet Greene, has defended the country’s diplomatic relations with China, saying the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country is continuing a policy adopted since its independence in 1981 of being ‘friends of all; enemies of none’.

In a newspaper column responding to criticisms of the Gaston Browne administration policies Greene, who is also the Minister of Trade and Immigration, said that while ‘some of it has been constructive but on the question of our foreign policy and our relationship with China, you have crossed from scrutiny into something that does this country no favours’.

Greene dismissed the notion that the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CBI) through which foreign investors are granted citizenship in return for making a substantial investment in the country’s socio-economic development ‘poses a threat to United States security is, frankly, a fabrication.

‘If you believe otherwise, bring irrefutable facts. Not insinuation. Not guilt by association. Not the comfortable echo chamber of your known animosity toward this administration. Facts,’ he wrote.

Greene said that there has never been a ‘single instance, not one, when Antigua and Barbuda’s relationship with China, through any policy, any programme announcement, or any implementation, drew open criticism from Washington or was averse to our own development interest.

‘Not one. That is because it does not exist. What exists is a partnership that has delivered concrete benefits to Antiguans and Barbudans: agricultural training that is already reshaping our food security, infrastructure that modernises our island and a diplomatic relationship built on mutual respect that stretches back to 1982, when the Father of the Nation had the vision to recognise an emerging China when others did not.’

Greene said that this is not about choosing sides, noting that Prime Minister Browne has said it plainly ‘We are friends of all; enemies of none.’

The Foreign Affairs Minister said that Antigua and Barbuda maintains strong ties with the United States, adding that ‘our soldiers train with SOUTHCOM, our security is bolstered by the U.S Coast Guard and the U.S is our number one trading partner.

‘We have never been asked to choose and we will not be manoeuvred into choosing. Our foreign policy serves Antigua and Barbuda’s national interests. Full stop. The geopolitical posturing you seem eager to amplify is not our fight.’

Greene quotes US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio as saying ‘this is our hemisphere’ and President Donald Trump’s warning that those who ‘destabilise it and threaten the United States will face consequences’.

‘That is their doctrine, their framing, their strategic posture. Antigua and Barbuda is not a base of operations for anyone and so those comments do not include us. We are a small island state trying to build a sustainable future for our people.

‘If Washington has concerns, the proper channel is diplomatic engagement. That is why we have and maintain an embassy in the U.S capital, staffed with experienced diplomats,’ Greene said, noting that the public criticisms do not strengthen the country’s position.

‘It weakens it by lending credibility to narratives that paint us as something we are not. China has been a reliable developmental partner to Antigua and Barbuda for over four decades. When others offered words, China offered roads, ports, training and opportunity.

‘The Father of the Nation understood in 1982 what some still refuse to acknowledge today: that small states must cultivate relationships with all who are willing to respect our sovereignty and contribute to our development,’ Greene said, adding ‘ingratitude is not a foreign policy. It is a character flaw.’

The Foreign Minister has sent out a challenge to those opposing the government’s policies.

‘Stop salaciously going into overdrive to tarnish Antigua and Barbuda’s good name. Stop dressing up personal animus as national concern. Bring facts, irrefutable, documented, verifiable facts or bring silence.

‘This country deserves better than uninformed and irresponsible commentary from someone who has never had to sit in the chair and make the hard decisions that sovereignty demands,’ Greene said, imploring people to ‘promote, protect and defend Antigua and Barbuda.

‘That is the posture of a patriot. Anything else is noise,’ Greene said.

Who Is Really Protecting The Business? (2)

In nonprofit organisations, this misunderstanding can become heartbreaking.

There is a belief that whenever an organisation is helping communities, somebody somewhere must be endlessly funding the work.

The reality is often very different.

Many nonprofit founders use their personal salaries, savings, businesses, vehicles, equipment, phones and relationships to keep programmes alive.

They write proposal after proposal hoping for support. They receive rejection after rejection. They stretch one donation across several activities and quietly absorb expenses because they refuse to disappoint the communities they promised to serve.

When someone steals resources from such an organisation, the loss does not simply belong to the founder.

It may belong to the child whose learning materials can no longer be purchased, the community whose programme has to be reduced or the young person whose opportunity disappears because someone decided the organisation ‘had enough.’

We also have to be careful not to use poor treatment in some workplaces to explain away dishonesty in others.

If an employer is mistreating you, that needs to be addressed. If you are being underpaid, disrespected or asked to work under unreasonable conditions, there are legitimate questions to raise about that employer and how the business is being run.

But none of that makes it acceptable to steal, lie about work you have not done, misuse company resources or deliberately work against the organisation while continuing to collect a salary from it.

If the workplace has become so bad that you can no longer work there with integrity, then perhaps the real conversation is about whether you should still be there.

At the same time, employers need to ask themselves why some workers seem to perform only when they are being watched, shouted at or constantly followed up with.

I have seen situations where people complain, rightly, about being treated harshly at work, yet those same people will admit that the moment they are given some freedom, the work stops moving.

Why should someone have to treat another adult badly before the work they agreed to do gets done?

And why would any of us want a workplace where that becomes necessary?

There has to be something between mistreating people and allowing people to take advantage of being treated well.

This is where the conversation gets uncomfortable, because sometimes a good working environment is mistaken for a lack of accountability.

A flexible employer is taken for granted. A kind manager is considered weak. An owner who does not stand over employees all day eventually discovers that things are not being done.

Then, when that owner begins checking everything, asking for reports, restricting access and demanding proof of completion, the complaint becomes that the workplace is being micromanaged.

So where is the balance?

At what point does an employee take responsibility for being someone who can be trusted to work without being policed, and at what point does an employer accept that trust alone was never enough to run the organsation?

Perhaps, one of the greatest failures in our business culture is that we wait until something becomes catastrophic before we believe it deserves accountability.

We become outraged when millions disappear from institutions, yet we remain strangely comfortable with everyday dishonesty because the amounts appear insignificant.

We condemn corruption in public offices while excusing employees who quietly help themselves to resources because ‘it is only a little.’

We criticise people who abuse power while lying to supervisors about work we never completed.

The scale may be different, but the willingness to justify dishonesty often begins with the same belief that no real harm has been done.

That mindset eventually raises another difficult question for employers:

How are we hiring?

Many businesses are desperate for good people. Vacancies need to be filled. Work needs to continue.

Someone arrives with a polished CV, interviews well and has somebody willing to recommend them.

That is often enough.

Yet, how often do employers genuinely contact previous workplaces? How often do they ask meaningful questions rather than simply confirming dates of employment?

How often do they investigate whether the person they are about to entrust with money, confidential information, inventory, children or vulnerable people has demonstrated the character required for that responsibility?

This does not mean every former employer should be believed without question. People leave jobs for many reasons, and some workplaces are toxic enough that leaving is the healthiest decision someone can make.

Neither should a person’s entire future be destroyed because of gossip or an unproven accusation.

But responsible hiring requires curiosity.

It requires asking enough questions to understand who is entering your organisation, especially when that person will eventually gain access to the things you have spent years building.

The harder issue arises when serious misconduct actually occurred and the former employer chooses silence.

Many compassionate business owners know this dilemma well.

Someone steals.

Someone lies repeatedly.

Someone breaches confidentiality or misuses organisational resources.

Technically, there may be grounds to pursue formal action, but then another question begins to weigh heavily on the employer:

What happens to this person’s future?

What happens to their family?

Will reporting them make it impossible for them to ever work again?

Sometimes the employer absorbs the loss, dismisses the person quietly and chooses not to pursue the matter any further.

It is an act that can come from compassion, but compassion should also make us think about the people who come after us.

If someone leaves one organisation because of serious misconduct and another employer unknowingly hires them without asking why they left, who is carrying the risk created by that silence?

If the behavior is repeated somewhere else, was the previous employer merciful or did they unintentionally transfer an unresolved problem into another workplace?

These are not easy questions, and they should not have easy answers.

People deserve opportunities to change, but meaningful second chances should never require pretending that accountability is unnecessary.

This is why businesses and nonprofit organisations need stronger systems than personal trust alone.

Too many organisations begin as families rather than institutions.

We hire friends, relatives, former volunteers and people recommended by people we know.

Because everyone appears familiar, financial procedures become relaxed, documents become easily accessible, passwords are shared, inventory is poorly monitored and responsibilities overlap until nobody is entirely sure where accountability begins or ends.

Then something goes missing, and the entire organisation is left trying to determine who can be trusted.

Trust is valuable, but it is not a system.

Good systems protect honest people just as much as they expose dishonest ones.

Clear job descriptions, financial procedures, inventory records, documented approvals, confidentiality policies, appropriate background and reference checks, defined access to sensitive information, performance reviews and proper disciplinary processes do not create cold workplaces; they create responsible ones.

They allow employees to know what is expected of them, employers to manage fairly and organisations to survive beyond personalities.

As Ghana continues encouraging entrepreneurship, youth employment and innovation, we must also become serious about the culture inside the organisations we are asking people to build.

Starting a business is one achievement.

Sustaining one is another.

A brilliant idea can fail because of poor internal accountability.

A well-funded nonprofit can be weakened by dishonesty.

A passionate team can quietly destroy morale when trust is repeatedly broken and nobody is willing to confront it.

The future of our businesses will depend not only on investment and opportunity but also on the everyday decisions people make when nobody believes those decisions are important enough to notice.

Maybe that is where this conversation truly belongs-not in the headlines after something enormous has happened, but in the ordinary workplaces where character is quietly being formed every day.

In the office where someone chooses whether to tell the truth about an unfinished assignment.

In the kitchen where someone decides whether food belongs to the business or to them.

At the reception desk where confidential information is either protected or shared.

In the manager’s office where accountability is either documented or ignored because confrontation feels uncomfortable.

In the boardroom where leaders decide whether systems matter more than convenience.

It is easy to read an article like this and immediately think of somebody else.

The dishonest employee.

The terrible employer.

The colleague who stole.

The manager who lied.

The founder who never created proper systems.

The organisation that failed its workers.

Perhaps the more valuable response is to sit with the uncomfortable possibility that the article may apply to us in different ways.

If we own businesses, are we building structures that protect the organisations we keep asking others to help us grow?

If we employ people, are we creating workplaces where dignity and accountability can exist together?

If we are employees, interns or volunteers, are we treating another person’s property, time and trust as carefully as we would want ours treated?

If we know someone has been dishonest, are we protecting them from consequences because it is compassionate, or because confronting wrongdoing is inconvenient?

These questions are not pleasant, but neither is watching a business slowly collapse under the weight of things everyone once considered too small to matter.

We often say we want stronger businesses in Ghana.

We want sustainable nonprofits.

We want organisations that create jobs, transform communities and survive beyond their founders.

Those dreams require more than funding, innovation and ambition.

They require people whose word means something, leaders willing to build systems instead of depending entirely on goodwill and workplaces where being treated with humanity never becomes an excuse for behaving without integrity.

The greatest threat to a business is not always the competitor across the street.

Sometimes it is already inside the building.

Sometimes it has access to the office keys, the filing cabinet, the storeroom or the organisation’s finances.

Sometimes it sits quietly in meetings applauding the vision while contributing very little to protecting it.

And sometimes, if we are brave enough to admit it, the failure begins with the owner who trusted without building accountability around that trust.

That is the conversation we need to have.

Not because it is comfortable.

But because every thriving business, every credible nonprofit and every institution hoping to outlive its founder will eventually have to answer one question:

IFC Boss Diop Heads To Ghana On Investment Drive

The Managing Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), Makhtar Diop, is heading to Ghana on a three-day visit aimed at deepening private sector investment and strengthening partnerships to support the country’s development priorities.

Mr. Diop, who heads the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, will be in Ghana from September 15 to 17, 2026, during which he is expected to engage public and private sector leaders on ways to mobilise greater private investment, strengthen businesses and create more and better jobs.

As part of the visit, he will meet senior government officials and engage business leaders, entrepreneurs, civil society organisations, academic institutions and members of Ghana’s creative sector.

The engagements are expected to provide an opportunity for the IFC boss to hear directly from stakeholders about the opportunities and constraints affecting private sector growth in Ghana.

Discussions will focus on strengthening competitiveness, expanding access to finance and unlocking investment across key sectors of the economy.

The visit will also feature high-level engagements and partnership announcements covering agribusiness, education, youth employment and skills development, access to finance, industrial development, renewable energy and the creative economy.

The IFC says its operations in Ghana are geared towards supporting businesses, strengthening domestic value chains, expanding access to finance and creating opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, women-owned businesses and other underserved groups.

Recent interventions by the Corporation include financing to expand credit across the cocoa value chain and support food security, as well as investments in manufacturing, recycling, renewable energy and industrial infrastructure to strengthen domestic value chains and create jobs.

The IFC has also provided investment and advisory support aimed at improving access to finance for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The Corporation’s growing commitment to Ghana is reflected in its financing figures. In fiscal year 2026, the IFC committed US$670 million in Ghana through its own account and mobilisation, compared with US$61 million in FY2021.

Nairobi Beats London To Host 2029 World Athletics Championships

Nairobi has been selected to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships, beating London to secure the rights to stage the event for the first time in Africa.

The decision was confirmed at a World Athletics Council meeting in Budapest, with President Sebastian Coe describing Nairobi’s bid as ‘compelling and emotional.’

‘With this decision today, we continue to fulfil our mission of growing athletics worldwide,’ Coe said.

‘Taking the World Athletics Championships to Africa for the first time will be historic. Nairobi has demonstrated emphatically that this is their moment.’

London had proposed the London Stadium, home of West Ham United, as the main venue. The stadium hosted athletics during the 2012 Olympic Games and the 2017 World Championships, as well as the annual London Diamond League.

The UK bid was led by Athletic Ventures, a partnership between UK Athletics, London Marathon Events and the Great Run Company.

UK Athletics CEO Jack Buckner expressed disappointment but congratulated Nairobi on its successful bid.

Nairobi had previously bid to host the 2025 World Championships but lost out to Tokyo. The city’s Kasarani Stadium is currently being renovated ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, strengthening Kenya’s case to host the global athletics event.

Nairobi’s selection means the World Championships will be staged in Africa for the first time.

World Athletics also confirmed Munich as the host city for the 2031 championships, with Rome missing out alongside London.

Kenya finished second on the medal table at the 2025 World Championships, winning seven gold medals and 11 medals overall.

PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN COMMISSION

The European Commission is empowered by the EU Treaties to borrow from the international capital markets on behalf of the European Union to finance selected EU policy programmes. The Commission has raised pound 11 billion of EU-Bonds in its 8th syndicated transaction for 2026.

The dual-tranche transaction concerned a pound 6 billion new 3-year EU-Bond maturing on 12 March 2030 and a pound 5 billion new 30-year EU-Bond maturing on 12 October 2056.

Building on the pricing of recent syndications against the EU Bond curve, both maturities were priced against reference points in the EU Bond curve. The approach reflects the growing liquidity of the EU-Bond curve, which can be used more frequently as a reliable reference point for pricing of syndicated issuances when deemed desirable.

The transaction is part of the Commission’s pound 80 billion funding target for the second half of 2026.

More information is available in a press release online.

(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Isabel Otero Barderas – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 25)

Commission approves new geographical indication from Italy

The European Commission has approved the registration of Olio dei Colli de Bologna from Italy as a Protected geographical indication (PGI).

Olio del Colli di Bologna is an extra virgin olive oil from the Emilia-Romagna region, located in northern Italy. The area is part of the ‘Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines’ natural site, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2023. The Olio del Colli di Bologna is characterised by very low free acidity levels. It is a balanced oil with medium fruitiness, bitterness and pungency intensity.

This new designation joins the more than 3,900 protected names already listed in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available on the Quality Policy pages.

(For more information: Louise Bogey – Tel.: +32 229-69776; Paula Clara Ritter-Moschtz – Tel.: +32 2 296 40 83)

Commission welcomes the design of first Important Project of Common European Interest in AI

The European Commission welcomes the initiative of 19 Member States to create and pre-notify under State aid rules the first Important Project of Common European Interest (IPCEI) in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The project aims at developing a range of decentralised and commonly accessible AI services.

IPCEI AI covers the entire AI stack and aims to develop advanced and highly innovative AI and compute management technologies and applications, industrial products and services going beyond the state of the art in the sector concerned. It will also aim to drive technological advances while contributing to European digital sovereignty, thereby positioning Europe as a leader in AI innovation and reinforcing Europe’s AI value chain from technological development to adoption. This aims at contributing to the target of the EU becoming a global leader in AI, as set out in the Commission’s AI Continent Action Plan, the Apply AI Strategy and the proposal for a Cloud and AI Development Act.

The IPCEI AI has been jointly designed by 19 Member States (Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden) and is coordinated by Germany. The Commission has facilitated this endeavour through the IPCEI Design Support Hub, established in April 2025, in which Commission services help Member States to prepare State aid notification for the projects to ensure compliance with the EU rules from the outset. This should allow for a quicker processing of the State aid notification.

As part of IPCEI AI, 11 Member States involved that will grant State aid to direct participants announced that they will start pre-notifying their projects to the Commission in September 2026. The Commission will then assess the compliance of the projects with the eligibility and compatibility criteria of the IPCEI Communication.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 2 299 47 74)

Commission clears acquisition of Baureka by BAG, EVI and REMEX

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Baureka Baustoff-Recycling GmbH (‘Baureka’) by Basalt-Actien-Gesellschaft (‘BAG’), Eurovia Industrie GmbH (‘EVI’) and REMEX GmbH, all of Germany.

The transaction relates primarily to waste recovery and recycling in Germany.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given that the joint venture has negligible activities in the European Economic Area. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12082.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

Commission clears acquisition of Senior and AeroFlow by Blackstone and Tinicum

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Senior plc of the UK and AeroFlow Technologies LLC (‘AeroFlow’) by Blackstone Inc. and Tinicum Incorporated (‘Tinicum’), all of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to aerospace components.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.

More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.12452.

(For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 2 298 01 00; Sara Simonini – Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)

Executive Vice-President Fitto in Madeira to discuss cohesion policy and the strategy for the EU’s outermost regions

Tomorrow, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto is visiting Madeira to discuss current and future cohesion policy, the next Multiannual Financial Framework, and the specific needs of the EU’s outermost regions.

During the visit, the Executive Vice-President will meet Members of the Government of Madeira, as well as the Representative of the Portuguese Republic for the Autonomous Region of Madeira, Paulo Duarte Barreto Ferreira. Discussions will focus on how the recently adopted EU strategy for the outermost regions, together with its accompanying legislative package, can help address Madeira’s specific challenges and opportunities.

Executive Vice-President Fitto will also travel to Curral das Freiras, where he will meet local residents to hear directly about the challenges they face in building their future and continuing to live and work in their home region. Discussions will cover key issues such as access to jobs and essential services, demographic change, and economic opportunities, in the context of the forthcoming EU strategy on the ‘Right to Stay’. He will also visit the Ribeira de Santa Luzia cohesion project, which includes rehabilitation and flood-control works aimed at reducing flood risks and strengthening local resilience, as well as the ‘Artificial Alliance DataMentors’ recovery and resilience project in Santa Cruz, which supports innovation and the development of digital skills.

(For more information: Maciej Berestecki – Tel: +32 229-66483; Anna Wartberger – Tel.: +32 2 298 20 54)

Commissioner Kos in Norway to strengthen cooperation and support for Ukraine

On Thursday, Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will be in Norway to reinforce EU-Norway cooperation, particularly on support for Ukraine.

In Oslo, the Commissioner will meet the Foreign Minister of Norway, Espen Barth Eide to discuss possible additional financial support from Norway to be channelled via the Ukraine Facility. Among others, Norway’s contribution would help cover Ukraine’s current government expenditures while also supporting reforms in the areas of anti-corruption and energy. Commissioner Kos will also exchange views with the Parliament’s Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence regarding Norway’s key role in supporting Ukraine and its engagement with the EU.

She will meet the Minister of Trade and Industry of Norway, Cecilie Myrseth, and participate in a business roundtable with the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO). The Commissioner will address Ukraine’s accession and gradual integration into the EU, as well as opportunities to further develop partnerships and investments in Ukraine.

Finally, Commissioner Kos will visit Nord Pool, a pan-European power exchange, to discuss electricity market functioning, market coupling, operational and cyber security, and ongoing work with the Ukrainian and Albanian power exchanges.

Since 2025, Norway joined the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) as an observer and contributor, committing pound 172 million to support Naftogaz, Ukraine’s state-owned energy company. The UIF’s efforts have been crucial in securing essential gas imports and storage for millions of Ukrainian households, hospitals, schools and public institutions ahead of last winter, amid continuing Russian attacks.

(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel. + 32 2 298 05 64; Pedro Fonseca Pereira Moniz – Tel. +32 2 291 38 76)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases

Calendar items of the President and Commissioners

Individual calendars of the President and Commissioners

2026 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen

The original version of the speech is available here.

‘Check against delivery’

President Metsola,

Prime Minister Carney,

Honourable Members,

‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.’ This is how Charles Dickens describes Europe in the days of the French Revolution. And it is also a fair description of the world we live in. The speed of change is incredible. The challenges exceptional. So if I look at Europe today, my take is this: the state of our Union is the strongest it has ever been. The state of our Union can also feel as precarious as it has ever been.

These two statements may seem incompatible. But they are both true. And they reflect these exceptional times. This complex age of great possibilities and great perils, which all countries are seeking to navigate.

In this world, Europe has chosen to forge its own path. And a stronger, independent Europe is now emerging.

This is a Europe that is securing its prosperity. One that is breaking free from its toxic dependency on Russian fossil fuels. That has become the greatest trading power on the planet. That is transforming its industrial policy while upholding our unique social model.

This is a Europe better able to defend itself than ever before. One that has radically overhauled its approach to securing our homelands. That has increased defence spending by almost 80 % in the last five years alone.

This is a Europe that stands up for each other. As we are doing by standing with Ukraine as it fights for its future and for our freedom. Or when we stood up for Greenland when it was threatened. Or when drones, hybrid attacks or disinformation target our democracies.

All of this proves one thing. That Europe is there for Europeans. And that in the cold fragility of today’s world, only Europe can provide true sovereignty to Europeans.

And therefore, Honourable Members, this is a Europe we can be so proud of.

At the same time, we all know the threats that we are facing. As old assumptions and relationships have frayed, we are now dealing with an openly hostile world. A territorial war of aggression is raging on our continent; others have erupted nearby. A fight for industrial capacities is shaping global competition. And a battle of narratives is seeking to weaken confidence in Europe; to paralyse our democracies.

But people’s worries are not only linked to these big, global threats. The effects of the many crises are present for many European families, not least on the cost of living or housing. The dizzying speed of change and technology is impacting our jobs, our livelihoods and our society. And it is also having a profound effect on our democracy and our discourse.

We see this in the rise of the extreme, the decline of nuance – even in the way that we relate to each other.

These real concerns are being weaponised to drive a wedge between us. Sometimes from the outside – and too often from the inside. But our path is clear. Building an independent Europe that has the power to act. Nothing can divert us from this. Because in this world, the fate of Europe must remain in the hands of Europeans.

So our choice is clear. Do we want a strong and independent Europe that stands up for its values in this world? Or do we let divisions and dependencies hold us back? Do we want to rally around our European idea that together we can decide our own destiny? Or do we let our democracies be undermined by the proxies and puppets of authoritarians?

Whether it is the ultranationalists or the anti-Europeans, whether it is Russian interference or disinformation, the names may be different, but their goal is the same. They despise our values, and they want to shatter our European unity. So let’s not only fight back against that, let’s fight together for our European idea.

Honourable Members,

Our economy has withstood the impact of the Middle East wars better than expected. And unemployment is at near-record lows. But the pressures from higher energy prices and borrowing costs are biting for people and for businesses.

Clear fiscal choices will have to be made to ensure fiscal sustainability, while protecting investment. So, kickstarting Europe’s economy is our number one priority.

We have a huge market, world-class industry and services, a rich pool of savings and one of the world’s leading currencies. And yet, we still fragment our capital, networks and purchasing power.

This is why, when we took office, we put in place a bold plan. To build an economy where innovation and energy flow across borders. Where companies compete and grow across Europe, and savings finance our future. This is the logic of the Draghi and Letta reports. And together we are delivering. But we have to be faster – all institutions.

We now have the political agreement on the One Europe, One Market Roadmap. And together, by the end of next year, we can and must complete this historic overhaul of the Single Market.

In today’s economy, speed is of the essence. A permit or a form, a grid connection or a financing decision. All of this can determine where an investment is made. Where jobs are created. We need to move much faster. This is why we will put forward proposals to further speed up permitting.

Where projects are in Europe’s strategic interests, we need to massively accelerate. And where the administrative burden is slowing down business and SMEs, we need to slash that too.

You know that our 12 omnibus proposals are reducing the administrative burden by around pound 17 billion a year. But simplification cannot be a one-way street. All levels have to have skin in the game. We have long spoken about the harms of gold-plating.

Honourable Members,

Yes, we are doing our best at the European level to cut red tape. But now I think it is time for the Member States to step up. If we are serious about simplification, we also need a pact against gold-plating.

Honourable Members,

Europe cannot remain an industrial powerhouse if its energy prices are structurally too high.

When Russia cut off the gas we fought back. Our supplies are now more diversified. And we have invested in our homegrown clean energies – renewables and nuclear.

But then came the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. And again we bitterly felt the cost of our general dependence on imported fossil fuels. Since the start of the conflict, imported fossil fuels have cost us an additional pound 90 billion, without a single molecule of energy added.

So, we need to double down on our affordable, homegrown, clean energy. Be it renewables and nuclear, or biomethane and others. Technologically neutral. But they must give us independence.

For this independence, we need to electrify Europe. Our goal is to double the share of electricity by 2040. With this, Europe could cut its fossil-fuel import bill by pound 260 billion a year. But we also need to ensure that the electricity we generate is available.

Last year, we installed more than 80 gigawatts renewable capacity. But six times more capacity is still waiting to be connected. This is why we need the grids package so urgently.

We must invest faster. Speed up grid connections. Develop storage. In short, let’s make Europe’s future electric.

Honourable Members,

We can bring down energy prices, invest and innovate more, reform our economies. But all this is undermined if our companies do not compete on a level playing field.

Our trade deficit with China is now pound 1 billion – a day. It has reached a tipping point. Some say the second China shock is looming. But it’s already here. It shows in our communities and in factories across our Union. It leads to deindustrialisation in the industrial heartlands of Europe. This is unsustainable.

And this is why we are engaged in a dialogue with China to rebalance our trade. But this dialogue must now lead to results. China’s weaker domestic demand means it also needs our European market. So, it is in both our interests to work together to find solutions.

Let me be clear: we will use all the tools at our disposal to rebalance our relationship. Words are good. But deeds are better.

And there is another point. We still have too many dangerous dependencies. We are more than 80 % dependent on China for many critical raw materials. 90 % for some rare earths. We have done a lot. But we are not the only ones trying to diversify. We need to urgently procure and build up our reserves.

No country can do this alone. So we need to think differently. This is why we will establish a new European Corporation on Critical Raw Materials. It will help us obtain and stockpile what we need. For electric cars, chips and batteries, clean tech and defence. And so much more.

Not only our industry depends on this, but also our independence and security.

This brings me to my next point, on financing. To be very clear, our budget is about our future. And any modern budget needs new own resources.

We must create the conditions for our companies to attract investment and grow. This is why our work on the Savings and Investments Union is so critical. But developing capital markets takes time. And the needs of our companies are urgent. We need a banking system that is built for growth – not just stability.

This is why we will put forward a new Banking Package focusing on simplification and tackling fragmentation. We know the demand for capital is out there. But we need a greater capacity and appetite for risk.

Our deep-tech start-ups are on track to attract record venture capital investment in 2026. This is why I announced a new Scaleup Europe Fund last year.

A year on, the first investments have been made in companies such as ICEYE. ICEYE was set up by two young Europeans: Rafal from Poland and Pekka from Finland. They initially met through Erasmus some 15 years ago. Together they founded a tech start-up. They developed their idea around satellite imagery. They got Horizon funding. They proved their technology. They grew with private investment. And today they are one of the world’s leading space technology companies. With offices in Finland, Poland, Spain and Greece.

ICEYE’s story shows that Europe is the home of innovation. And that we can reignite Europe’s entrepreneurial spirit.

I am delighted that the founders are with us today. Please join me in welcoming Rafal and Pekka. You are a true European success story.

Honourable Members,

These are Europe’s economic fundamentals. But our future prosperity and security will greatly depend on how we manage the tipping points of our time: climate change and AI.

On climate change, this summer was the summer of truth. Almost no part of our continent was spared. In Belgium’s High Fens, a peatland formed over centuries burned into a wasteland of ash.

Flames roared from the mountains of Ireland to the islands of Greece and Croatia. In the Alps, ancient glaciers retreat further every day. The impact of all of this is simply devastating: 660 000 hectares burnt to the ground. Some 12 million tonnes of crops lost.

Key rivers like the Danube, der Rhein and La Garonne are disappearing before our eyes.

More than 35 000 additional deaths during the heatwaves. Care homes and hospitals dangerously overheated. And all of this is a mere preview.

These were the hottest summer months ever – but probably the coolest of the years to come.

Science is clear. Europe is warming at double the global rate. Of course, the transition is complex. And we will need to adjust and learn along the way.

But there is no doubt: Europe can, must and will stay the course on its climate targets.

Honourable Members,

This is not about mitigation or adaptation. We need both. And they need to strengthen each other. This is the only way to reach climate resilience. But we need to step up dramatically on preparedness.

We will present a new framework for climate resilience next month. We will identify 100 of the most vulnerable territories in Europe. And we will assess the risks – and at which level they should be managed.

This will give us a whole of society approach – all the way through to the local level where adaptation matters most. And it will aim to make Europe the champion in adaptation technologies – a huge emerging market.

Whether drought-resistant crops, flood prevention or energy-efficient cooling, Europe is already a leader. And we must capture this market.

Today, only around 25 % of catastrophe losses in Europe are covered by private insurance. This means that, far too often, national budgets become the insurer of last resort.

We need to take action to close this gap. This is why the Commission will set up a Climate Insurance Alliance.

Honourable members,

There can be no repeat of this summer. This is why we will also soon present a European Heatwave Plan. We need better early warning systems and better health preparedness. We need urban adaptation and cooling. And we need to support the most vulnerable.

The second point is on water and food security.

We know the risks of water scarcity for our farmers, energy and supply chains. Yet, European pipes lose almost one in every four litres Mostly through leakage. What a waste. So we will put forward a new European Water initiative. Because water is precious. For our industry – and for our food security.

Crops need water to grow, while livestock need it to survive. Entire harvests depend on it. This is why we will make proposals to improve risk management and address the insurance gap.

Once again, Europe’s farmers have risen to the challenge of this never-ending summer.

Honourable Members,

Europe’s farmers are the best in the world. And we will support them every step of the way.

The next point is about wildfires. They are getting more intense, more frequent and more spread out.

I am so proud of Europe’s response. Of our European assets flying across the continent. But clearly, we need to think bigger. And learn faster.

This is why we have asked some of Europe’s most senior firefighters and emergency responders to lead the work. They will look at all aspects of preparedness and prevention. From civil-military coordination to needs for new capabilities. And I have asked them to make proposals, including for a future European Firefighting Fleet.

Our emergency crews have saved countless lives and homes this year alone. And there is one story I would like to tell. It is the story of a Danish pilot, Rune Kyndal.

His passion for flying took him all around the world. He settled down in a small Canadian city called Terrace. He became one of the country’s most experienced civilian pilots. But Rune wanted to put his talent at the service of a bigger mission. So he came back to Europe to help tame wildfires across our continent.

In July, he carried out many successful missions across Greece. He was then supposed to get a well-deserved break. But the emergency was at its peak. So Rune decided to stay.

A few days later he was involved in a tragic accident, with his fire liaison officer.

Both Rune and the officer were killed. They died as heroes.

I have asked Rune’s mother and brothers to join us today as special guests.

Dear Margit, dear Tue, dear Kaare,

We are honoured to have you. Rune gave his life to save others. Today, all of Europe owes him.

Honourable Members,

The second tipping point of our times is artificial intelligence.

AI is fast becoming a foundational layer for our economy and security. Europe’s stance is clear. We want to make the most of AI to improve our society, our quality of life and our productivity.

I am an optimist that AI has the potential to benefit humanity – if we get it right. But, as with any powerful new technology, AI comes with a balance of possibilities and risks. Without addressing these risks, we will never be able to unlock AI’s possibilities.

As the frontier models become more capable, these risks have come more sharply into focus.

Models being developed will allow hacking on a level we never thought possible. And they will soon be in the hands of adversaries who see the world very differently from us.

At the same time, the dangers of self-improving models are becoming ever more apparent.

Incidents of AI agents escaping their environment or inserting malicious code are a mere glimpse. After the HuggingFace incident, developers are ringing the alarm. And CEOs of the most advanced companies tell us that it is time to slow down on the self-recursive models. To pace the frontier.

If the people developing the technology are clear, then we should be too. The AI Act is of course a crucial piece to putting guardrails in place. And it puts Europe in the position to shape global efforts on how to tackle this.

So, we will step up together with our like-minded partners like Canada, the United Kingdom and others. We want to team up on model evaluation, verification, early warning, AI security and much more.

And I will invite the main frontier labs for a discussion on how we can support ongoing industry efforts to pace the frontier.

Honourable Members,

It is also true that Europe will need its own capabilities – in particular to protect our national security.

We need to stay in the race. Because this is crucial for our independence. So we need to massively boost our computing capacity. And we will set out our ideas for how to achieve this in a clean and efficient way.

We will also develop new ways to use public and private funds to invest in the most promising European start-ups and companies.

Honourable Members,

By limiting the risks of AI, we can maximise the benefits. We have already done a lot. On gigafactories and tech sovereignty, for example. But the next leg of this race is not only about frontier models. Just as was the case with the printing press in times gone by. It was invented by a German inventor, but was mastered and applied across Western Europe.

We do not need to be the ones who develop the frontier technology to be the ones who draw the greatest value from it. The key is creating the value that AI has not yet delivered. Moving AI from the screen to the real economy and society. On the factory floor. On the hospital ward. In precision agriculture. In our energy grids. For autonomous driving. For defence.

This is where the real value is hidden. And it is where Europe has big advantages. We have world-class industries that sit on the highest-quality data. These data are a precious European treasure. They are what can power tailor-made industrial AI models.

Let me give you one societal example. On breast cancer screening – an issue many of you have campaigned tirelessly on. Mammography screening reduces mortality by around 30-40 % among women who attend the screenings. Early detection is of the essence. This is where AI can step in.

AI-supported mammography can identify earlier and more cancers during screening. And as a result more women can survive. So we need AI for health. But, here again, we must do it in a European way.

Do I want my doctor to have instant AI access to all the data needed to make the best diagnostic or treatment choice? Yes, of course. But do I want my doctor to be a robot, AI assisted? No, of course not. I do not want a robot to tell me whether I have cancer or not.

The point is that AI needs to empower our doctors. Not to replace them.

This is just one example. We are now focusing on five of the highest-value sectors in which industrial AI has the biggest potential and we have the data: health, transport, agri-food, advanced manufacturing, and defence and space.

In November, we will announce game-changing initiatives across these sectors.

We will invite Member States, MEPs, industry and entrepreneurs to join us in this ambitious European project.

Our approach is clear. We want AI. We want AI to create more value, more responsibly. And at a lower cost and with less energy consumption. But above all, we want AI with human agency.

Honourable Members,

This is our European way.

Many of the risks of AI also spill over into our social market economy. For some, AI allows them to speed up repetitive tasks, to make better use of their skills. But clearly, these benefits are unevenly spread between skill sets, generations and regions.

Look at young people and the barriers they are facing, just to get on the first rung of employment.

Our response must keep pace. From education to employment, AI must help develop skills, improve the quality of jobs and give workers a fair chance.

This is why we need our Quality Jobs Act. And we will deliver before the end of the year.

Honourable Members,

Next year, we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of our European Pillar of Social Rights. And we will keep delivering on its promise.

We will invest in our regions, so everyone has the ‘right to stay’. We will launch a European Care Deal to address the challenges linked to our demographic changes.

We have just proposed the first-ever Housing Act to tackle short-term rentals and housing speculation.

Because, honourable Members, staying in the region is not a privilege. Care is not a privilege. Housing is not a privilege. They are rights.

When we proclaimed this Pillar of Social Rights 10 years ago, the world was different. Our society has changed. In many ways for the better, in others not.

Today, our fundamental values are being challenged. Some people even want to backslide on women’s rights. To send us back to an age in which women were second-class citizens.

We have fought so hard for equal treatment, equal opportunities, equal pay.

Look around this room. Finally, there are many of us here: Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Group Leaders, Commissioners, MEPs, staffers and ushers.

So let me send a very clear message to all those who need to hear it: women are here to stay. We will defend our rights. And we will continue to stand up for our values every single day.

This is why, together with my dear friend António Costa, we will host a summit to uphold the enduring principles of our Social Pillar.

Times may change, technologies may change, but our values do not. In Europe, people will always come first.

Honourable Members,

In this age of tipping points, our prosperity and security will not only be built at home.

This year, we have signed free trade agreements with India, Mercosur, Mexico, Australia and Indonesia.

We now have trade deals in place with more than 80 countries – more than anyone else in the world. And business is asking us for more.

I can announce today a new international connectivity project. It will link the South Caucasus and Central Asia directly to the European market – what we call the Middle Corridor.

Through Global Gateway, we will aim to crowd in up to pound 12 billion in public and private investment. Our goal is to diversify routes, triple trade flows and slash freight transit times by 2030.

To make this a reality, we will organise a Regional Connectivity Summit with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria.

Honourable Members,

These partnerships are a strategic choice for Europe. But they also respond to the fracture in the international rules-based system.

For some, the answer is to go it alone. But this is not an option for us. Europe will always lead when it comes to defending the rules-based system. But we can no longer rely on it as the only way to secure our interests. Or assume that its rules will shelter us from the complex threats that we face.

In this new world, we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. And build global coalitions for our resilience and democracies.

And here too only Europe – with its size and power – can take the lead.

And this is why I have invited Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada to be here today.

Mark, your presence here is a symbol of the enduring friendship between our people. Our cultural, historical and personal links run deep within the fabric of our societies.

And thanks to CETA, our trade in goods has grown by 75 % in less than a decade.

This shows the power of our trade agreements. We see the world with the same eyes: from AI to climate change, from the Arctic to geopolitics. And we have stood together: on Ukraine, on defence, on raw materials and on supply chains.

But above all, dear Mark, Europe and Canada believe in democracy.

We believe that power does not belong to the strongest, the richest or the loudest – but to all of us. That democracies have the freedom to choose with whom to work.

So, we are joining forces voluntarily. We will move from CETA to an Alliance for the Future to create a common prosperity and economic security space. We will work on intelligent manufacturing. We will create a tech alliance. We will integrate defence industrial bases. We will make the Arctic a flagship joint project. We will work on energy, critical minerals and batteries. On AI, quantum, cyber and economic security.

This is a partnership not against anyone else, but for our common strength.

In short, we want to bring the relationship with Canada to the highest level possible.

Dear Mark,

I said we must urgently reimagine our partnerships. So, I would like to work with you on opening the door for Canada to be the first associate member of the EU.

We share one ocean, one set of values, one way of seeing the world. And we will now build our shared future as well – thank you for being here.

Honourable Members,

Europe’s belief in cooperation has always been driven by peace. It is our raison d’être.

Today, that peace is threatened. Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine rages on. And threats are mounting on our soil. In the last week we have seen it in Denmark, Lithuania and Poland. The attempted drone attack in Leipzig is further proof. We need to be clear about what this was. An attack using military-grade material, carried out by Russian operatives on European soil.

An attack not only on one Member State – but against all of our Union.

And, honourable Members, we will not allow it.

We should be under no illusions about what is happening here: hybrid threats facing Europe are less and less hybrid and less and less threats.

Cyberattacks and sabotage, arson and drone incursions. They are ramping up every day. So, as the threat level climbs, so must Europe’s preparedness.

This is why I will propose, together with the HRVP, a new European security strategy.

We already have many tools. And we are strengthening our work with NATO. But our doctrine, our institutions and our decision-making have not kept pace with the new reality.

Our systems were made for a different world. They are driven by well-intentioned attempts at consensus and compromise. But we need to consider whether they are still fit for purpose.

For instance, Europe needs its own counter-hybrid playbook. We urgently need a consensus on how to respond to certain incidents. Those which fall below armed aggression but clearly threaten our national security. In other words, a mechanism to flank NATO’s ‘Article 4′.

I believe it is time for Europe’s own Article 4 – or an Emergency Security Protocol. When triggered by one Member State, all Member States would convene. To coordinate a European response. To deter further escalation. And to mitigate the impact.

And I believe we must go further still.

For a long time, we have discussed a leaders’ format focused on the security of our continent. With partners like Canada, Norway, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and others involved.

This is even more urgent now, given the nature and scale of the risks at play. This is why we will set out our ideas to make a European Security Council a reality.

The urgency is clear.

Honourable Members,

This united front also drives our work on European defence.

The surge in defence spending has led to record levels of investment in our capabilities and forces.

New joint projects are getting off the ground. And we are spending more European than ever before.

Bigger orders for our industry, more interoperability and more economies of scale. Now we need to take that approach to the next level.

The war in Ukraine has shown us the importance of strategic enablers. These are the critical support assets and force multipliers that any credible defence relies on. From air and missile defence to strategic transport and air-to-air refuelling. From space to cyber.

These systems are essential, and we need more of them. Only together does Europe have the scale to deliver them.

That is why I can announce a new European Instrument for Strategic Enablers – fully aligned with NATO. Because only a strong and credible European defence posture will guarantee our security.

And of this there is no room for doubt: Europe will defend each and every single square metre of its territory.

Honourable Members,

The men and women of Ukraine are showing us every day what that means.

We know that the coming winter will be tough for Ukraine. But we also know that North Korean missiles and Russian drones cannot break the Ukrainian spirit of resistance.

Because the people of Ukraine are fighting for something. They are fighting for the survival of their country, for their identity and for their freedom.

And they are also fighting for our freedom and our self-determination.

Our task remains to support Ukraine as best we can.

In concrete terms, this means the following: first, that we will give our strongest-ever support to Ukraine over the toughest winter of the war. Together with our partners, we will provide humanitarian aid and reinforce Ukraine’s supplies of power and heating.

Second, we will strengthen Ukraine’s air defences. Last week, for the first time, we approved the purchase of American Patriot interceptor missiles. These now need to be delivered urgently.

But we must also jointly reduce our dependence on a single supplier.

That is why we would like to develop with Ukraine an affordable, modular missile-defence system.

At the heart of this collaboration is the Freya project. Here we are combining the Ukrainians’ combat experience and innovativeness with Europe’s technological leadership. And, of course, our substantial production capacity.

But Freya is only the beginning. More is needed. Using the remaining funds from SAFE, we will be setting up a new programme for joint projects with Ukrainian companies.

Third, we will be tightening our sanctions on Russia.

Further pressure must be applied to Russia. What is needed is not necessarily new sanctions, but above all the enforcement of existing sanctions.

Our sanctions are hurting. They are putting enormous pressure on the Russian economy. Russia is doing everything it can to get round them. So we must close any loopholes.

Because, honourable Members,

Every day this summer, strike after strike hit Ukrainian cities.

In Kryvyi Rih, Russian drones struck a crowded shopping mall in broad daylight. Then they struck a second time – deliberately targeting the rescue workers who rushed in to help.

This is not just war. This is a deliberate strategy of terror.

But Ukrainians have proved countless times that their spirit cannot be broken. And this summer, a little girl showed the whole world the true essence of this.

When the war began, Sasha was a six-year-old girl with a great passion. She loved gymnastics more than anything. But on a sunny day in May, a Russian missile struck her home. Sasha was rescued from under the rubble. She spent two weeks in a coma. And when she woke up, she discovered that her left leg was gone forever. It seemed her dream had collapsed with her house.

But Sasha refused to give up. Just seven months after the attack, she was back in the gym with her new prosthetic leg. She trained harder than ever. And started winning gold after gold.

This summer she travelled the world with her Dance of Freedom tour. Her aim is to tell the world about Ukrainian resilience in the fight for freedom. She has inspired people at the Tour Eiffel and in Times Square, in Rio and in Tokyo.

And today, she wants to bring her message right here to the heart of Europe.

Honourable Members, please join me in welcoming Sasha.

You are a great inspiration to all of us.

Slava Ukraini!

Honourable Members,

The deep suffering in Gaza and unchecked settler violence in the West Bank have deeply affected Europeans.

The Israeli government’s decision to advance the illegal E1 settlement project is unacceptable.

Last year, I called for Europe to act, proposing a number of measures.

It is painful for many Europeans that Member States have been unable to build the necessary majorities for a unified response. Some Member States have moved ahead. Others are considering doing so.

When Europe is divided, it cannot change the course of events.

The months ahead in the region will be critical. Despite these challenges, Europe is leading the way in supporting Palestinians.

We have delivered more aid than anyone else. Through the Palestine Donor Group and the Team Gaza Initiative, we have brought together 65 delegations. Together we have pledged nearly pound 1 billion to rebuild Gaza and support a modern Palestinian Authority.

Europe supports the right to self-defence for Israel. And the Palestinian people have an equal right to live in safety and with dignity.

It is Europe’s role to keep the flame of a two-state solution alive.

Honourable Members,

Throughout this speech, I have spoken about the need for Europe to act together. Or risk being pulled apart.

Once again, this summer, this reality was tested at our borders.

From our eastern borders to the shores of Crete and right across the Mediterranean. And of course, with the crisis in Ceuta. These events are different in nature. But they have two things in common. The first is that vulnerable people are being exploited. By callous traffickers and smugglers. By our adversaries. This is why we have proposed a sanction regime to hit criminals where it hurts most.

This brings me to the second parallel.

All of our external borders are European borders. So, I want to address the people of Spain directly.

Ceuta’s border is a European border. Because Ceuta is Spain. Ceuta is Europe. And Europe will be there for you.

The point is that the only solution is a European solution. And that is the Pact on Migration and Asylum.

After years of work, we finally have a common European framework. One that gives responsibilities to all – and that demands solidarity from all. And it now needs to be fully implemented.

We are on the right path. We have seen a 55 % reduction in illegal arrivals over the past two years. And a further 35 % drop this year. That is real progress.

But the events of this summer show that our tools need to evolve – especially for emergency situations. Europe needs the means to protect its borders at all times. Especially in scenarios when mass movements are engineered and weaponised. This is why we will propose a new European Emergency Response Framework.

It will only be triggered under a strictly defined set of criteria. And in those cases, it will allow for time-limited and strictly defined flexibility in standard procedures.

The message from Europe is clear: we will always comply with our values and fundamental rights. But we will never compromise on protecting our borders. It is we, Europeans, who decide who comes to our Union and under what circumstances. And not the smugglers and the traffickers.

This is why we will also step up our work to strengthen Frontex – especially to speed up returns. We will improve our early warning systems – including in partnership with third countries. We will ensure that we can detect and anticipate online. And finally, we will keep tackling the root causes of illegal migration.

We need to work together with our neighbours to boost investment. To offer young people meaningful prospects – so they are not compelled to gamble with their lives. Jobs, skills, training, apprenticeships.

This is why I am announcing today a new Mediterranean Youth Skills and Jobs initiative.

Honourable Members,

This is how we can reduce illegal migration. Uphold the rights of individuals seeking protection. Facilitate safe, legal migration with new Gateway Offices in partner countries. And defend the freedoms of our Schengen area. But above all, this is how we prove that Europe can act together.

Honourable Members,

This need for collective European solutions is more important than ever. Because it is also our European democracy that is being threatened.

Time and again, we have seen disinformation and foreign interference seeking to divide us. Seeking to erode trust in our democratic fabric and free media. Election campaigns poisoned by foreign propaganda. Conspiracy theories built on viral deepfake videos.

This is cognitive warfare. In Europe, we form our own opinions based on access to reliable, independent information. This is how we debate, compromise and find solutions – even on controversial issues. This openness is our biggest strength. But it is being weaponised by our opponents to distort debate and truth.

So we need a collective capacity to anticipate, detect and respond. This is why, last year, I announced the Centre for Democratic Resilience. It is already delivering with all the Member States and this House. We will step up our work, pooling our resources with Member States and stakeholders.

But we should be under no illusions. The threats to our democracies do not only come from the outside. We see the rise of anti-democratic, anti-European forces. And we know the risks.

But nothing is inevitable. Just look at Hungary.

The date of 12 April will stay in our memory for a very long time. The day the Hungarian people took their future into their hands. They chose democracy. They chose Europe. They brought Hungary back to where it belongs: at the heart of our Union.

Years of backsliding have started to be reversed. The fight against corruption and state capture is speeding up. There is real progress on fundamental rights. On academic freedom. And now, billions of euro of investment in Hungary have been unlocked.

There is of course much more work ahead. But this shows that hard work pays off.

Thanks to our Rule of Law Reports, any issues are now detected early and addressed through dialogue.

And thanks to this House, we have strengthened the link between funds and respect for the rule of law.

With the next long-term budget we must go even further. Respecting the rule of law and fundamental rights is a must for EU funds. It has to be front and centre in the budget. Now and in the future.

Honourable Members,

At its heart, democracy is about giving people the power to choose the society they want to live in.

Today, much of this power has been taken out of the hands of parents. Young Europeans now spend four to six hours per day on screens. Children are pulled ever deeper into feeds designed to keep them scrolling.

What we are witnessing is a great capture of our children. A capture of their attention, their focus, their minds. This is depriving children of their childhood.

What our children need is time to grow into themselves. To grow up with others. To be confronted with all of the emotions and choices that come with real life. They even need time to get bored. Because this is when they have to use their imagination. When they have to talk, agree, disagree, form an opinion, change an opinion.

But when a child has a smartphone, all of this is taken away.

Day and night, parents see the cost: loss of sleep, anxiety, even self-harm.

And in a growing number of cases even fatal tragedies. Like that of Oléa, a 14-year-old girl living in Belgium.

Oléa took her life exactly one month ago – a victim of online bullying.

The story is so tragic and full of sorrow, I was not sure whether to include it.

But Olea’s mum has spoken so movingly about her daughter. And so passionately about stopping this happening to others.

I want to do her words justice so I will speak in French, as she did.

‘Je suis persuadée que sans ces réseaux omniprésents, ma fille serait toujours là. C’est trop.’

Honourable Members,

She is right. C’est trop. Enough is enough.

I convened a Special Panel of experts. We spoke to young people. We looked at Australia and others who have moved ahead. And now it is time for Europe to act.

Tomorrow, the Commission is proposing the EU KIDS ACT. We will take a gradual and differentiated approach. Each age has its own sensitivities. And therefore, each will have its own tailored protection level.

No social media under the age of 13. No personal account under the age of 15.

That means, from 13 until a child turns 15, only mini accounts set up and supervised by parents, with limited features and time restriction. And between 15 and 18, safe design will be an obligation for the platforms.

I am aware that many perceive the power of big tech as overwhelming. And impossible to roll back.

I disagree.

We do not have to accept addictive features. We do not have to accept children being drawn into ever more extreme content. We do not have to accept that girls have their photos used for AI-generated sexualised images.

So we are reversing the burden of proof.

Platforms will have to prove that they are safe. Because it is not about our minors accessing social media. It is about when and how do we allow social media to access minors.

Europe has the power to act. It is we who decide our rules, not big tech.

But it is not only minors who are at risk. Addictive design, for example, is harming everyone. This is why we need a wider framework, the Digital Fairness Act. We will propose it in autumn.

Honourable Members,

All of this shows us that Europe can deliver where it really matters. But we also have to win back the hearts of Europeans. Create this feeling of belonging to something bigger than ourselves.

Belonging to a common home. The certainty that, as Europeans, we will always be there for each other.

Because we need only look beyond our borders to see that this European idea is still very much alive.

We need only look to Ukraine and Moldova. To the Western Balkans. We need only look to all those countries close to our Union.

And because their future lies within our Union, we will soon be proposing roadmaps for the candidates that have made most progress.

This process will continue to be based on merit. And, Honourable Members, I repeat: respect for our values is non-negotiable.

I was horrified by the pictures from Ratko Mladic’s funeral in Belgrade last week.

He committed the most atrocious crimes against humanity.

Glorifying war criminals simply has no place in the European Union.

All the victims of the wars in the former Yugoslavia deserve to be remembered, and all their families deserve our compassion.

For that is what we are defending as a Union: truth, justice and respect for our values.

Honourable Members,

Europe will always remain true to its values. Our Union started life as a peace project. So that our tragic past could give way to a common future for Europeans.

Decades later, millions of people still see Europe as full of promise – sometimes from as far away as Canada.

And yet, we often forget how powerful this promise still is.

In 1948, in the aftermath of the war, a Congress of Europe was held. It brought together the greatest minds of our continent to reflect on the future of European cooperation. To breathe life into this European idea which is our own. As a society, we need to rediscover this ability to think European.

Next year, we will celebrate the historic 70th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome.

I can announce today that we will be launching a new Congress of Europe.

We need our most brilliant minds – from throughout our Union and from every corner of our great continent. Together, they will produce a vision that can inspire the new generation of Europeans and recapture the European imagination. So that the next generation can write its own story.

We should never forget the origins of our Union. Nations so long at war united to forge a common destiny. A destiny of peace and prosperity, democracy and freedom.

They never wrote down where this destiny would finally lead us. But each generation has built on the foundations of its predecessors. Step by step. Brick by brick.

Of course, our imperfections, our diversity and our differences remain. But they are precisely what makes Europe our Europe. Our common home.

And so, Honourable Members,

Let us once again take charge of our future.

Oguzu, Uhuru face off as Maracha election petition heads to Arua High Court

Arua High Court has scheduled September 21 for the hearing of an election petition in which former Maracha County MP Denis Lee Oguzu is challenging the election of Nelson Uhuru as his successor.

The petition, which began with a pre-hearing conference at the court on Wednesday, is being heard by Justice Celia Nagawa.

By 4pm, the courtroom was packed with witnesses and residents from Maracha District who sat quietly as lawyers for the petitioner and respondents argued over the issues to be determined during the hearing.

Mr Oguzu, who served two terms in Parliament on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, is challenging Mr Uhuru, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, and the Electoral Commission over alleged electoral violations and irregularities during the January 2026 election.

During Wednesday’s scheduling conference, Mr Renato Kania, counsel for Mr Uhuru, argued that the central issue in the petition was whether bribery allegedly committed during the election was done with his client’s knowledge, consent or approval.

He said the petition was based on two grounds-alleged bribery and donations attributed to Mr Uhuru-and asked the petitioner to restrict the case to those matters.

Mr Oguzu’s lawyer, Mr Blaise Rugamba, however, said the issues should be framed more broadly around whether the first respondent committed electoral illegal practices and irregularities during the election period.

He argued that the court should determine whether Mr Uhuru, personally or through his agents, committed any electoral offences with his knowledge, consent or approval.

The petitioner also raised an issue concerning the competence of 13 affidavits filed in support of Mr Uhuru’s answer to the petition, particularly where they allegedly introduced the issue of voter bribery.

A third issue presented to court concerned the remedies available to the parties, including whether the petitioner was entitled to the orders sought.

Mr Rugamba said the petitioner intended to cross-examine Mr Uhuru, his father Mr Severino Embatia and Mr Munduga Kennedy, the returning officer.

Counsel for Mr Uhuru said the respondent had 32 witnesses in the affidavits and expected at least 15 to be subjected to cross-examination.

Justice Nagawa directed the parties to rely on evidence already contained in their affidavits and rejected a request by the petitioner to introduce additional witnesses and video evidence.

‘All your evidence that you tend to rely on is in the affidavits and no more additions,’ Justice Nagawa said.

She also rejected a request by the petitioner to introduce a police officer as an additional witness and video evidence involving Osuta Yusuf, saying the evidence already on record was sufficient for the time-bound hearing.

‘The prayer for additional witnesses by the petitioner of a police officer and video evidence by Osuta Yusuf is rejected. What we have on record is good enough for the court to proceed with which is time bound,’ she said.

Justice Nagawa directed all witnesses named in the affidavits to be available when the hearing starts.

‘Let all the witnesses in the affidavit be around from Monday. Mr Oguzu, bring the witnesses in court and Mr Uhuru, you should also come and defend yourself. Don’t write letters of adjournment. Everything should be in on time. Let all documents come in by Friday,’ she said.

The hearing will begin on Monday, September 21, at 9am.

The petition stems from the January 2026 parliamentary election in Maracha County, in which Mr Uhuru defeated Mr Oguzu and was declared the winner. Mr Oguzu is seeking court intervention over what he alleges were electoral offences and irregularities during the election.

Kufuor Hosts Gambian Politician

The leadership of the Economic Freedom Fighters – The Gambia (EFF-Gambia), led by His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Ebrahim Sanyang, has paid a courtesy call on former President John Agyekum Kufuor in Accra as part of his consultations on democratic governance and national development.

Prince Sanyang, who is seeking political power in The Gambia, said the visit was to tap from the wisdom and experience of the former Ghanaian leader, who is widely respected for entrenching democratic stability and economic reforms during his tenure from 2001 to 2009.

The meeting, held at the residence of the former President, focused on Ghana’s democratic journey, leadership, economic management and lessons The Gambia can adapt as it seeks renewal. Sources close to the meeting disclosed that former President Kufuor welcomed Prince Sanyang and his entourage and shared candid counsel on what it takes to build a stable and prosperous nation.

While details of the closed-door discussion were not fully disclosed, it is believed the former President emphasised the importance of strong institutions over strong individuals, respect for constitutional term limits, tolerance for opposing views and peaceful transfer of power – values that have defined Ghana’s democracy.

On the economy, Kufuor is said to have advised the Gambian presidential hopeful to prioritise fiscal discipline, agricultural transformation, private sector growth and transparent management of public resources.

He reportedly cautioned against excessive borrowing without clear returns to citizens in the form of jobs and affordable living costs. The former President is also known for his belief in inclusive governance, where appointments are based on competence and service delivery, not political loyalty – a principle that aligns with Prince Sanyang’s promise of a government organised around outcomes rather than announcements.

Prince Sanyang, for his part, said The Gambia must learn from both Ghana’s achievements and its setbacks. He believes Ghana offers lessons in value addition, financial inclusion, digital systems, tourism, creative economy and leveraging the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Accra.

He, however, maintains that The Gambia should not copy any country wholesale, but adapt what works to its own scale while building institutions strong enough to correct course.

Prince Sanyang reiterated his vision of a secure, just and productive Gambia where poverty is not a destiny and every citizen has a fair chance to work and live with dignity, with a culture of people before power and service before privilege.

Museveni tells judicial officers to stand firm on Constitution

President Museveni has asked judicial officers to remain courageous and make firm decisions based on the Constitution, the law and evidence, even when their rulings may be unpopular.

The President said judges and magistrates should be able to discharge their duties without intimidation, arbitrary interference or fear of personal repercussions.

He made the remarks on Wednesday in a speech read by Vice President Jessica Alupo at the 9th Benedicto Kiwanuka Memorial Lecture in Kampala.

‘The person who goes to court must know that the judicial officer deciding his or her case can reach a firm and constitutionally grounded decision without looking over his or her shoulder to ask what personal consequences may follow from that decision,’ Mr Museveni said.

He said while courage is necessary for judicial officers, the country must also strengthen institutions and safeguards that enable them to exercise their responsibilities independently.

‘The answer to the tragedies of the past is not simply to tell judicial officers to be courageous. Yes, courage is necessary,’ he said.

‘A judicial officer must be free to make a decision that is firm even when that decision may be unpopular, provided it is grounded in the Constitution, the law, and the evidence,’ he added.

Mr Museveni said the government would continue supporting the Judiciary through the recruitment and retention of skilled personnel, improvement of infrastructure and digital transformation if it is to achieve this agenda.

He also pledged continued support for institutional safeguards that enable judicial officers to make decisions independently.

‘That is why I supported the increase in salaries for Judges and Magistrates some years ago,’ he said.

The President said Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka’s story remains a reminder of a period in Uganda’s history when institutional weaknesses exposed even senior judicial officers to severe personal consequences.

‘Would you be prepared to make such a sacrifice?’ he asked, reflecting on the circumstances surrounding Justice Kiwanuka’s disappearance.

Justice for all

Chief Justice Flavian Zeija said the annual memorial lecture should prompt Ugandans to reflect on whether the country is carrying forward Justice Kiwanuka’s vision.

‘We remember him because he stood for principles that remain fundamental to a democratic society. He believed in the Rule of Law. He believed that all persons, institutions and entities, including the State, are subject to the law,’ Justice Zeija said.

He said Justice Kiwanuka also believed in the protection of human rights and freedoms and in the independence and integrity of the Judiciary.

The Chief Justice said access to justice requires more than merely having courts physically present.

‘Justice for all therefore requires more than the physical presence of Courts. It requires accessibility to all courts, requires procedures that are understandable, requires timely determination of cases, requires judicial officers who are independent, impartial and courageous,’ he said.

He added that advocates must uphold professional ethics while investigators and prosecutors should conduct their work professionally and fairly.

Former Chief Justice Dollo honoured

Former Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo was honoured with the Benedicto Kiwanuka Chief Justice Award 2026.

Justice Dollo, who retired earlier this year after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70, said the commemoration should serve as a reminder of the responsibility bestowed on anyone holding judicial office.

He said honouring the legacy of Justice Kiwanuka should also prompt judicial officers to reflect on the ‘sacred responsibility’ imposed on them by law.

Justice Kiwanuka, Uganda’s first Black Chief Justice, served from June 27, 1971, until he was abducted from his chambers at the High Court on September 21, 1972, by soldiers during the regime of former President Idi Amin. He was never seen alive again.

He is remembered for his commitment to truth, justice, impartiality, judicial independence, the rule of law, and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms.

One of his most cited cases involved British businessman Daniel Stewart, who had been detained without trial. Justice Kiwanuka granted a writ of habeas corpus despite opposition from the government, affirming the Judiciary’s authority to scrutinise executive action.

The annual commemoration is ordinarily associated with September 21, the anniversary of Justice Kiwanuka’s abduction. This year’s memorial lecture was held on September 16 under the theme: ‘Justice for All: Carrying Forward Justice Benedicto Kiwanuka’s Vision.’

Local govs told to boost revenue, invest in industrialisation

Local governments have been urged to invest in industrialisation and strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation as Uganda seeks to reduce borrowing and avoid a debt crisis.

The Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Amos Lugoloobi, said the 2027/2028 budget will be guided by seven strategic shifts, with revenue-led fiscal consolidation taking priority.

He made the remarks on Tuesday while opening a regional local government budget consultative workshop for the Financial Year 2027/2028 in Lira City.

The workshop was held under the theme: ‘Full Monetization of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialization, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access.’

Mr Lugoloobi said domestic revenue mobilisation will be placed at the centre of budget formulation by broadening the tax base, using data and technology to curb leakages, improving compliance and mobilising complementary financing.

‘We need to see more revenue coming into our coffers. The more revenue we get, the more we limit borrowing. We don’t need to continue borrowing endlessly,’ he said.

‘Each year we read a budget, there’s a huge amount for borrowing, so we want to make sure the gap between the budget and our revenue is lessened,’ he added.

He said the government wants to narrow the gap between revenue and expenditure, with the long-term goal of financing the budget through domestic revenue.

‘We don’t want to plunge our country into a debt crisis, and this is why we are placing emphasis on revenue mobilisation. As local governments, do what you can to mobilise resources,’ Mr Lugoloobi said.

He cautioned local leaders against avoiding revenue collection for fear of being unpopular, saying locally collected taxes are intended to support public services.

‘Sometimes you want to be so friendly to the population when it comes to collecting local revenue, we don’t want to be seen to be hard, but the taxes are collected to help the population,’ he said.

The minister also cautioned against allowing the fiscal deficit to expand, saying increased domestic revenue mobilisation was critical to reducing reliance on borrowing.

Oil revenue

On the second strategic shift, Lugoloobi said oil revenue will be managed transparently and sustainably in accordance with the Public Finance Management Act.

He said government would not spend all oil revenues immediately, with part of the proceeds being invested in infrastructure and another portion preserved as savings for future generations.

‘The dollars acquired there will be for your children and grandchildren, for the future prosperity of our country,’ he added.

Lugoloobi called on local governments to mobilise resources and invest in industrialisation, which he described as an important avenue for expanding the tax base and strengthening Uganda’s fiscal independence.

‘Unless we all pay tax, we are not going to be able to finance our budgets. So we need to see more effort in that area, including the use of data and technology,’ he said.

He noted that the Local Government Finance Commission had introduced a tool to help districts capture data on potential revenue sources and identify leakages through digital systems.

Lira industrial park dispute

The minister’s call for local governments to support industrialisation comes against the backdrop of a dispute over land earmarked for a regional industrial park in Lango Sub-region.

Lira District had allocated about 500 acres at the former Aler Farm in Ngetta Ward, along the Lira-Kitgum Road, to the Uganda Investment Authority (UIA) for construction of the industrial park.

However, Lira District and the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lango Chapter, have since suspended the allocation, citing concerns over transparency and inadequate community engagement.

The decision followed an emergency meeting of chamber members after reports that 200 acres of the land designated for the industrial park had been handed over to Zhou and Mahakala Group without broad stakeholder consultation.

The meeting resolved that all land transactions relating to the industrial park be frozen until the Prime Minister convenes a stakeholders’ meeting to clarify the status of the project and the role of prospective investors.

Cattle scarcity, movement ban stall restocking in Apac

Government’s cattle restocking programme in Apac District is facing fresh hurdles, with beneficiaries struggling to access affordable livestock because of cattle scarcity and restrictions on animal movement.

The challenges came to light on Monday September 14, 2026, during an oversight visit by the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Ms Sandra Santa Alum, to assess the implementation and impact of government programmes, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and cattle restocking.

Apac District Chairperson, Mr Ambrose Agec Opio, said 302 beneficiaries had received Shs5 million each, but the high demand for cattle had pushed up prices, making it difficult for beneficiaries to acquire the required animals.

According to Mr Opio, cattle prices in Lango currently range between Shs2 million and Shs2.8 million for a calf as opposed to between shs600,000 to Shs1 million before eviction of the Balaalo making restocking expensive for beneficiaries.

He said many beneficiaries would prefer buying cattle from other districts such as Masindi, Kiryandongo, Nakasongola and Bweyale, where they believe better breeds are available and prices are more favourable. However, restrictions on cattle movement have made it difficult for traders and beneficiaries to bring animals into Apac.

‘We are even asking the minister to help us talk with the President, to help the community go and buy the animals from that side and bring them to Apac,’ Mr Opio said.

Apac has so far received Shs1.53 billion for cattle restocking, with officials saying 304 beneficiaries were identified and only two had not received the money because of mismatches in their credentials.

The programme, however, risks losing its intended purpose if beneficiaries cannot access cattle, warned Maruzi County MP Peter Obong Acuda.

‘The biggest challenge now is, since the money was meant to restock the cattle that was lost, as I speak now, there is scarcity of this cattle,’ Mr Acuda said.

He said beneficiaries were seeking to cross the Nile to purchase livestock but were being frustrated by quarantine and restrictions on animal movement.

Mr Acuda warned that some beneficiaries had started diverting the money to activities unrelated to cattle restocking, including construction, buying land, agriculture and other personal expenses including marrying women.

‘Now that they have diverted, there will be no physical accountability for the money which was meant to do a different thing,’ he said.

The MP appealed to President Museveni to relax the restrictions on cattle movement to enable beneficiaries to fulfil the purpose for which the funds were provided.

‘My appeal to President Museveni is that, let him lift the ban on the movement of cattle, so that at least this money makes the best use,’ Mr Acuda said.

Minister Santa Alum acknowledged the concerns and said she would raise the cattle movement restrictions with relevant authorities.

‘There is a stringent directive that they shouldn’t cross. So this one, I’ve picked it and I am taking it forward,’ Ms Alum said.

She said beneficiaries should be enabled to access markets where cattle are available and affordable so that the government can establish that the funds have been used for their intended purpose.

‘I want to believe that keeping money is not easy. So these people should be helped so that they go to the market which is cheaper and then they buy this cattle. This way, we can have evidence that the beneficiaries have put the money into its rightful use,’ she said.

The cattle movement dispute comes against the backdrop of President Museveni’s Executive Order No. 2 of 2025, which directed migrant Balaalo herdsmen to leave northern Uganda under an operation code-named Operation Harmony.

The order sought to address conflicts associated with unregulated cattle movements, with the President arguing that it was technically impossible to have healthy, mutually beneficial and conflict-free movement of unregulated livestock into northern Uganda.

The directive provided for restrictions on free-ranging livestock from outside northern Uganda and sought to criminalize the practice.

However, Apac leaders say the restrictions are now creating unintended consequences for a government programme whose success depends on beneficiaries being able to purchase and move cattle into the region.