President von der Leyen stresses accomplishments of the strong EU-US partnership upon receiving Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Award
Yesterday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received the Atlantic Council’s Distinguished Leadership Award in Washington DC, honouring her for “her lifetime of accomplishment as a true European and transatlantic citizen, and for her positive impact advancing a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace”. In her acceptance speech, the President expressed that she feels like a European and transatlantic citizen, thanks to her upbringing and life journey: “The story of the transatlantic ties is made of millions of stories like mine. But most importantly, it’s made of shared values and interests between the two shores of the Ocean.” The President highlighted that the EU and the US are “natural partners”, who together can shape the economic recovery, fight climate change, rewrite modern rules for the global economy and protect democracy. The President notably recalled the joint efforts and pledges announced at the COP26 in Glasgow only days ago as well as cooperation in the EU-US Trade and Technology Council to diversify and improve resilience. Finally, President von der Leyen urged: “It is again time to stand up for the values that define our democracies. We believe in the freedom of citizens with both rights and responsibilities. We believe in the rule of law, every human being is equal before the law. We believe in the dignity of every person and thus the fundamental rights. It is again time to speak up for our democracies.” Read the full speech online and watch it back here.
