In her acceptance speech for the International Charlemagne Prize, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen opened with a deeply personal reflection on her lifelong dedication to Europe, praising the historical and symbolic significance of Aachen. She referenced three monuments to illustrate Europe’s spirit: the Aachen Cathedral as a symbol of cultural rebirth; the destroyed synagogue, linked to Anne Frank’s legacy and a reminder of Europe’s darkest chapter; and the Aachen Town Hall, where the first Charlemagne Prize was awarded to Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi, a visionary for European unity.
Von der Leyen invoked these landmarks to emphasise the essence of being European — a shared history of both triumph and trauma, and a collective commitment to renewal. She argued that Europe must once again find the courage to rise and embrace a “next great unifying project”: building an independent Europe. This independence, she stressed, is not isolationist, but a precondition for freedom, stability, and resilience in an increasingly volatile world.
She described current global upheavals — wars, authoritarian pressures, and economic rivalries — as proof that Europe cannot rely on past assumptions of peace and order. Instead, Europe must actively shape its own destiny, rather than being shaped by external forces. For von der Leyen, this means ensuring Europe is free from coercion, economically strong, geopolitically stable, and capable of defending its democratic values.
Von der Leyen outlined four strategic imperatives for achieving this independence. The first is the creation of a European-led security order, reinforcing defence capabilities while maintaining transatlantic ties. She warned against complacency and praised Europe’s unprecedented joint investments in defence as a sign of progress toward strategic autonomy.
The second imperative is boosting innovation and competitiveness. She highlighted Europe’s strengths — from its skilled workforce to its stable economic systems — but also acknowledged the urgent need to catch up in areas like AI, digitalisation, and industrial investment. She stressed the importance of keeping Europe open for trade while attracting global partners who value reliability and rule-based cooperation.
A third imperative is completing Europe’s historical mission of reunification through enlargement. Von der Leyen championed the accession aspirations of Ukraine, the Western Balkans, Moldova, and potentially Georgia, framing enlargement not only as a moral duty but also as a geopolitical necessity for a stronger Union.
Finally, she focused on the renewal of European democracy, warning against the rise of extremism and complacency. She called for policies that directly address citizens’ concerns — from migration to living costs — and insisted that the best way to protect democracy is by making it work more effectively and visibly in people’s lives.
Closing on a personal and hopeful note, von der Leyen recalled her childhood at the European School in Brussels, where she first experienced Europe as a space of shared identity and opportunity. She concluded by urging Europeans to embrace their common destiny, celebrate their diversity, and pass on a Union that is not only unified and peaceful — but also free and independent — to future generations.
