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Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
World
RFI

EU chief calls for European Security Council and closer Canada ties

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on 16 September, 2026.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on 16 September, 2026. REUTERS - Yves Herman

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday called for a new European Security Council and closer ties with Canada – setting out plans to strengthen the EU's security, back Ukraine through the winter and reduce its reliance on other countries for trade, technology and critical materials.

Europe was facing "an openly hostile world", von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Strasbourg in her annual State of the European Union speech.

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