Ursula von der Leyen: Western Balkans' EU Membership a Priority for New European Commission

Ursula von der Leyen(AP /Virginia Mayo)

President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen said before the European Parliament (EP) on Nov. 27 that the European Union's doors remained open to the Western Balkans, underlining that addressing life-threatening climate change would be one of the signature issues for the new Commission, alongside efforts to boost economic growth within the Union.

"We need to show to our friends in the Western Balkans that we share the same continent, the same history and culture, and that we will share the same destiny. Our doors remain open," the first woman president of the European Commission said in her address to the European lawmakers, before she and her new Commission were confirmed by the MEPs.

The German politician said the EU shared the same fate with its transatlantic partners as well, and that it needed to show to its partners in the United Nations that they could rely on the Union.

"We will be one team working in the shared European interest. We will be one team working with the EP and member states to face the challenges ahead of our generation. We are ready, but most importantly, Europe is ready, and my message is simple - let's get to work," the new EC president said.