In his address to the European Parliament, King Philippe stressed that in recent years, Europe has been marked by crises, and that in “these times of war, uncertainty and societal unrest, Europe and the world are in dire need of hope”. Although the EU has been united in its support for Ukraine and in its fight against COVID-19, he stressed the need for a less fragmented EU. He argued the EU should work together on new technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, and rare earth minerals, since it is lagging behind on invention and innovation. “The solution will involve advocating for open markets and ensuring a level playing field for our imports,” he said.

He also called for unity in the fight against climate change, stating that more still has to be done for the EU to reach its 2030 and 2050 climate targets. “Climate policy also helps us achieve that other great ambition: the strategic independence of the EU,” he said, adding that renewable energy…