Thread by @anders_aslund

Traditionally, I always watch the US President's state of the union address, while I ignore the address of the President of the European Commission. This year, I did the opposite & yesterday I was richly awarded by Ursula von der Leyen.
ec.europa.eu/commission/pre…

Her start: "One of the most courageous minds of our times, Andrei Sakharov – a man so admired by this House
- always spoke of his unshakeable belief in the hidden strength of the human spirit.
In these last six months, Europeans have shown how strong that human spirit really is."

She focused on human values: "We are inspired by their empathy, bravery and sense of duty – and I want to start this speech by paying tribute to them all."
"This will show Europeans that our Union is there to protect all."

"We must tear down the barriers of the Single Market. We must cut red tape. We must step up implementation and enforcement. And we must restore the four freedoms – in full and as fast as possible.
The linchpin of this is a fully functioning Schengen area of free movement."

Remarkably, von der Leyen did not even mention the US, but stated: "We might not always agree with recent decisions by the White House. But we will always cherish the transatlantic alliance – based on shared values and history, and an unbreakable bond between our people."

"we will propose to extend the list of EU crimes to all forms of hate crime and hate speech – whether because of race, religion, gender or sexuality.
Hate is hate – and no one should have to put up with it."

von der Leyen stands for a new EU commitments for values: "Be it in Hong Kong, Moscow or Minsk: Europe must take a clear and swift position.
I want to say it loud and clear: the European Union is on the side of the people of Belarus."

I just hope that the EU really (finally!) acts accordingly. This was a very inspiring speech.