Ursula von der Leyen received the Charlemagne Award for services to European unity, pandemic control, and the Green Deal. She advocates for an independent Europe by strengthening defense, innovation, and expansion.
German Chancellor Merz, after previous doubts, now affirms U.S. importance to NATO and signals unity. He emphasizes efficiency and commercial reform within the alliance, praising a shift in the American stance.
âWe need to seriously question the idea of creating long-term gas contracts and also supporting infrastructure in third countries,â added Ville Niinistö, a Green lawmaker also on the energy committee and a former Finnish environment minister.
