Ursula von der Leyen

Absolutely, increasing investment in pandemic prevention and response is crucial. As we have seen, pandemics pose a significant threat to global health, economy, and security. Investing more in research, infrastructure, and international cooperation will enhance our ability to prevent and respond to future outbreaks, saving lives and safeguarding economies.

The ERASMUS programme is a cornerstone of European unity, promoting education and cultural exchange. We must continue to support and invest in it for the future of our youth and the strengthening of our union.

I believe the European Union should work towards finding common ground with the United States and China on regulating AI. Global cooperation is essential to ensure ethical standards and avoid a race to the bottom in terms of regulation. Aligning our approaches will strengthen our ability to set effective and fair rules for AI, fostering innovation while protecting our citizens' rights.

As President of the European Commission, I believe that linguistic diversity is a vital part of our cultural heritage and unity in diversity. While English is widely spoken and can be a practical choice for communication, we must respect and promote the multitude of languages that enrich our union.