In this regard, the official called for strengthening the role of the European Union (EU) in climate protection, together with the aforementioned economic segments.

The chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from Afghanistan revived the reflection on the military autonomy of the EU, when Von der Leyen expressed the need for defense for the old continent.

He pointed on the matter, even with regard to the defense against cyber-attacks and to act where NATO and the United Nations (UN) are not present.

The EC intends to take advantage of the colossal post-pandemic recovery plan to build a greener and more digital European economy, while strengthening the continent’s industrial autonomy.

Therefore, Von der Leyen called for boosting European semiconductor production, a crucial technology for which the EU remains dependent on Asia.

He reminded that Europe cannot do everything on its own. The major economic powers, the United States or Japan, set themselves climate neutrality targets for 2050 or shortly after, like the EU, but these targets must be backed up by concrete plans.

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