The world has awakened to a different reality this year: we are facing the most challenging health crisis of our generation. In some parts of the world, the battle goes beyond hospitals and labs. There are those also fighting on the ground with arms. No country can afford two wars at the same time and on the International Day of Peace, the EU echoes the call of the United Nations General Secretary for a global cease-fire.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen today mapped out in her first annual State of the Union address, a path for the European Union to overcome the fragility laid bare by the coronavirus crisis and build a union of vitality.