Ursula von der Leyen, President of European Commission addresses GLOBSEC 2022, Thursday 2 June.

  • She called for unity and support for Ukraine´s reconstruction and effort on its path to joining the EU
  • She announced that the EU is helping Ukraine with a platform that would streamline all financial sources to boost the reform process

As leaders gather in Bratislava, Slovakia to discuss how to further mobilize support for Ukraine and increase the resilience of Europe in the face of a new harsh geopolitical reality, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, delivered a special address on the opening of GLOBSEC 2022 Forum, setting the agenda for the future activities of the EU towards helping Ukraine to survive the financial hardship during the war but also prepare for the meaningful reconstruction in its aftermath.

Regarding the reconstruction of Ukraine, Von der Leyen highlighted the joint platform contemplated by Kyiv and Brussels which will put together all support initiatives by different actors and channel all financial sources. While Ukraine will lead and own it, the European Commission with its expertise will engage and shape it in a way “that we have an investment with reform,” said Von der Leyen.

“The European Commission will stand by the Ukrainian side with all the track record we have, with all the experience we have, to help them that the investment is effective and combined with necessary reforms that then will of course pave the way into the European Union.”

Reacting to the direct call for support of Ukraine´s EU membership by Ukrainian president Volodymir Zelenskyy, von der Leyen said: “It is not only our strategic interest but it is our moral duty to make it possible that they (Ukrainians) join our European Union and that we pave the path towards our union.”

She referred to the incentives that the EU accession process had provided for countries such as Slovakia throughout the negotiation process, concluding that it could be the same with Ukraine.

The EU´s partnership and financial assistance would mean neither “a wild card nor a shortcut,” because the standards and conditions must be met – as is the case for all member states in the EU.

“But how fast, how quickly, what the speed of such process is – this si depending on the country itself and on our support.”

Watch the full session here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4aNjnQlGvY

This year’s GLOBSEC summit, dubbed a “summit at the frontlines of war”, takes place on June 2 – 4, with the main theme of “building resilience in a divided world.” It convenes at a strategic time when more than 1,500 public figures, global and business leaders, meet in person to confront the current issues of a crisis-driven world, including restoring stability amid a new era of geopolitical conflict; strengthening resilience in the sphere of energy security, health care, sustainability, cyber and tech; maintaining economic growth and defending democracy among others.

Robert Vass, President of GLOBSEC, in his opening speech has called for action to mobilize support for Ukraine. He said: “This conflict is about far more than Ukraine. It is also about us and the world we live in. The future of the West is being decided now in Eastern Europe … Whatever the upcoming weeks and months will bring, the leaders of NATO and the EU should be designing their responses. There is no time to lose. This is what we are here for at the Forum – to offer solutions.”

This year, the 17th edition of the Forum is be the biggest conference in the CEE region with the most impressive lineup yet, including more than 30 delegations alongside a roster of internationally recognized business and opinion leaders. Furthermore, as a part of the framework of the Forum, GLOBSEC, in cooperation with the Slovak and Ukrainian governments, kicks off a campaign to mobilize political, military, financial and economic support for Ukraine.

About GLOBSEC:

GLOBSEC is a global think-tank based in Bratislava committed to enhancing security, prosperity and sustainability in Europe and throughout the world. It is an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental organisation. Its mission is to influence the future by generating new ideas and solutions for a better and safer world. To this goal contributes the annual GLOBSEC Bratislava Forum, one of the leading conferences on global security in the world. GLOBSEC also organises the annual GLOBSEC Tatra Summit, a conference that provides the opportunity for experts to have fruitful political discussions on the future of Europe.