Europe must gain independence in the new world order. Europe is fighting for values and democracies, for freedom and for the opportunity to decide our own destiny. This is a battle for our future.

This was stated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her "State of the Union" speech to Members of the European Parliament, BGNES reported.

"Europe must fight for its place in a world where many great powers are hostile to Europe. For this reason, a new Europe must be built," von der Leyen said.

"Let there be no doubt – this is a battle for our future. I thought long and hard about whether to start this State of the Union address with such a harsh assessment. After all, we Europeans are not used to—and are not comfortable with—speaking in such terms. Because our Union is, in essence, a peaceful project," she continued before MEPs. | BGNES