Johanna Geron / EPA Pool
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, warned this Tuesday, in the Australian Parliament, of risks such as disinformation and foreign interference.
Von der Leyen warns that Europe is going through “a dangerous moment”in an increasingly unstable international context.
“The world we live in is brutal, harsh and unforgiving. It seems to be upside down,” said the European leader, warning that many of the certainties of the past are being questioned in a scenario marked by geopolitical and economic tensions.
The head of the EU highlighted that geographic distance no longer protects countries like Australia, due to the impact of global threats and technological advancement.
“Malicious actors can reach our borders without leaving theirs”he said, in a reference to risks such as disinformation and foreign interference.
In this context, the European leader highlighted the need to strengthen collective resilience and cooperation between allies, arguing that the security of Europe and Australia are closely linked. “When we are side by side we are stronger,” he said.
The president of the European Commission also warned against excessive dependence on certain suppliers, in an allusion to Chinaand highlighted the importance of diversifying supply chains to protect economic and industrial security.
Von der Leyen also called the attention to the impact of climate changewho said they are devastating communities in Europe, calling for joint action to address their effects and highlighting that the energy transition is part of the common agenda of the two regions.
The statements were made during the second day of the three-day visit to Australia, when the European Union and the country signed a free trade agreement after almost a decade of negotiations.
O pact will eliminate tariffs on key Australian exports such as wine, seafood and vegetables, and will expand access to the European market for beef and lamb, dairy products, rice and sugar. It will also facilitate duty-free entry of Australian industrial goods.
In parallel, Brussels and Canberra announced a new security and defense partnership, aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas such as military industry, maritime security, cyberspace and the fight against terrorism and disinformation.
