Kommissionsformand Jean-Claude Juncker holdt onsdag den årlige statustale i EU-Parlamentet, kendt som “State of the Union”.
Der var mange vigtige punkter på dagsordenen. Ikke mindst Storbritanniens udmelding og flygtningekrisen.
Der blev dog også plads til udviklingspolitikken. En investeringsplan for Afrika til 3,35 milliarder Euro (knap 25 milliarder danske kroner) og oprettelsen af et frivilligkorps af unge, der skal hjælpe ved kriser blev annonceret. Sidstnævnte skal bestå af 100.000 unge europæere i 2020, kunne EU-chefen oplyse.
Se eller læs talen i sin helhed her:
http://ec.europa.eu/priorities/state-union-2016_en
Her er udpluk fra talen om de tre markante erklæringer:
Investeringsplan for Afrika
Today we are launching an ambitious Investment Plan for Africa and the Neighbourhood which has the potential to raise €44 billion in investments.
It can go up to €88 billion if Member States pitch in.
The logic is the same that worked well for the internal Investment Plan: we will be using public funding as a guarantee to attract public and private investment to create real jobs.
This will complement our development aid and help address one of the root causes of migration. With economic growth in developing countries at its lowest level since 2003, this is crucial. The new Plan will offer lifelines for those who would otherwise be pushed to take dangerous journeys in search of a better life.
Du kan læse mere om puljen på Generaldirektoratet for udvikling og samarbejdes (DEVCO) hjemmeside her:
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/news-and-events/state-union-2016-european-external-investment-plan_en
En pressemeddelelse fra DEVCO kan læses her:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-3002_en.htm
Korps af unge frivillige
In the same spirit, the Commission is proposing today to set up a European Solidarity Corps.
Young people across the EU will be able to volunteer their help where it is needed most, to respond to crisis situations, like the refugee crisis or the recent earthquakes in Italy.
I want this European Solidarity Corps up and running by the end of the year. And by 2020, to see the first 100,000 young Europeans taking part.
By voluntarily joining the European Solidarity Corps, these young people will be able to develop their skills and get not only work but also invaluable human experience.
Paris-aftalen
Slow delivery on promises made is a phenomenon that more and more risks undermining the Union’s credibility.
Take the Paris agreement. We Europeans are the world leaders on climate action.
It was Europe that brokered the first-ever legally binding, global climate deal. It was Europe that built the coalition of ambition that made agreement in Paris possible.
But Europe is now struggling to show the way and be amongst the first to ratify our agreement. I call on all Member States and on this Parliament to do your part in the next weeks, not months.
We should be faster. Let’s get the Paris agreement ratified now. It can be done. It is a question of political will. And it is about Europe’s global influence.
