European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Síkela at the EU Ambassadors Conference Brussels, 11 March 2026 Distinguished Ambassadors, First of all, thank you for coming to Brussels. I know that this year the journey was particularly difficult for some of you due to the war in the Middle East that has disrupted flights, affected lives, and undermined regional stability. Together with ...
European Commission - Speech [Check Against Delivery] Speech by Commissioner Síkela at the EU Ambassadors Conference Brussels, 11 March 2026 Distinguished Ambassadors, First of all, thank you for coming to Brussels. I know that this year the journey was particularly difficult for some of you due to the war in the Middle East that has disrupted flights, affected lives, and undermined regional stability. Together with recent events in Venezuela, the escalation around Greenland, it is yet another reminder that the global order as we know it has ruptured. The number of risks to global stability is growing, and the international environment is becoming more uncertain. This development is even more concerning for Europe – a continent based on rules, cooperation and mutual benefit. Yet, we have to admit the reality. Over the past year, international treaties have been abandoned. Conflicts have deepened. Global value chains have been weaponised. And old alliances have been broken. Around the world, countries and citizens are struggling with debt and inflation. People across continents have been uprooted. They seek refuge in neighbouring countries and sometimes farther away, including in Europe. And a new era of strongmen has emerged. They exploit the chaos to pursue imperial goals. And they use social media and AI to sow division – both between and within countries. In this era of great power competition, the EU's mission is clear: to defend its interests and assert itself as a global player. We must act quickly and decisively to forge an independent Europe – one that is as resilient in security and the economy as it is rich in diversity and culture. And even more importantly, we must act as one: Member states, Institutions, Delegations, DGs, EEAS, INTPA. Simply One Team Europe. If Europe wants to boost resilience, we need to defend our interests – our competitiveness, security, and global influence. Economic security and competitiveness will be at the core of EU leaders' discussion at the European Council later this month And we have to make sure that the external dimension is a firm part of these strategies. But even more important is that we continue adapting our external action and our toolbox to our European objectives. Our foreign policy must make Europe stronger, safer, and more competitive. You heard President Von der Leyen yesterday, trade and investment is not just economics, it is power. I will go further… it is also about sustainability. Common prosperity. And stronger partnerships. Because as ambassadors, you play a key role. You're out there every day, navigating dynamics on the ground in partner countries. Bringing together the interests of the EU, Member States, and our partners. With your help, Team Europe has achieved a great deal in the past year. In Africa, a wide range of Global Gateway projects continue to take shape – from the launch of the first zero-emissions iron production facility in Namibia …to the first convoy of products along the Kivu- Kinshasa green corridor in DRC. In Latin America and the Caribbean, more than 80 Global Gateway projects are well underway – from regional electricity integration to the EU-LAC Digital Alliance. And at the first-ever EU-Central Asia Summit, Team Europe announced a 12-billion-euro investment package covering transport, energy, digital, and critical raw materials. We also held 14 business forums around the world – from Gabon to Paraguay, and from Fiji to Mongolia. Partners are drawn to our approach. Through comprehensive partnerships and other ambitious agreements, we are forging new alliances that contribute to the strategic position of the Union. Let me give you a clear example. In the wake of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the BRICS seemed a strong, somewhat united block that represented a threat to global governance. Since the start of the mandate, we have signed a historic MERCOSUR Free Trade Agreement, a Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with South Africa, and what is now known as ‘the mother of all agreements', EU-India free trade agreement. And EU Delegations were indispensable to each of these achievements. So let me take this opportunity to thank you. Turning to the year ahead… Let me tell you about main political priorities on my agenda. They reflect the main concerns of our citizens. Their concerns are clear: high energy prices, competitiveness, security, and irregular migration. We have a responsibility to listen to these concerns and deliver solutions. Because if we fail to respond, others will exploit them to divide our societies, weaken our democracies, and ultimately risk the achievements we have built together through the European project. Our external action must therefore contribute to addressing these challenges. First , we must truly drive and deliver on our external investment agenda. Last October we launched the Global Gateway Investment Hub. Now, we must turn it into a fully working platform. In the current environment, we need to prioritise investments that deliver clear benefits for the EU, while also meeting the goals and interests of partner countries. For instance, our initiative to build the ASEAN Power Grid delivers on a long-standing priority for the region. At the same time, it serves EU strategic interests. It enables the large-scale integration of renewables. It supports energy security in a key region. And it creates demand for European technology and standards. This is exactly the kind of partnership we need to build – win-win, sustainable, and strategic. Second , we must place special emphasis on CRM . We need to build on our progress in Greenland, Zambia, and well beyond, in line with the Critical Raw Materials Act. Because as everyone here knows, these partnerships are about more than lithium or cobalt. They are about mutual benefits. Our investments create growth and jobs -- and we should be proud with bringing along the highest environmental, governance and sustainability standards. Third , we must make significant headway on migration. In 2025, irregular arrivals to the EU went down, partly thanks to the EU's collaboration with third countries, like Mauritania. Our whole-of-route approach is a key driver of this success. From origin to destination, we must remain firm on irregular migration, fair to those in need, and strategic when it comes to Europe's competitiveness. Just last week I visited Senegal, where stronger cooperation on security contributed to a nearly 75% drop in irregular departures last year. We want to build on this progress through the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership built on an integrated security-investment approach. Let me explain… In terms of investment, Team Europe has already mobilised 1.3 billion euro in Global Gateway projects in Senegal – from transport to digital to clean energy. And we have prepared a strong investment package to take our partnership to the next level. These investments develop skills and create jobs, opening opportunities for thousands of young people. This is crucial for promoting long-term stability and addressing the root causes of migration. At the same time, on the security side we're working with Senegal to tackle smuggling networks, prevent dangerous departures by sea, but also maritime and border security. And we are calling for more results on returns and readmissions. I would like to replicate this approach in more of our partner countries like Ethiopia or Nigeria. And one more priority will shape our work in the coming months: our economic partnership with Greenland. As you may know, right now, we are preparing for a mission to Greenland. The goal is to present a very strong investment package focused on clean energy, digital connectivity and critical raw materials, that will underline our strong commitment to the sovereignty, stability and economic development of Greenland. I believe that remaining strong, firm and united on the issue of Greenland will be essential for our long-term credibility. Colleagues, The lines of power are being redrawn – not with ink but with drones, disinformation, and coercive trade measures. The central question for Europe is simple: will we shape this new order, or will we be shaped by it? What is at stake is what we value most: our unity, our democratic model, and our ability to protect our citizens. Over the past year, we have shown that Europe can step up and act as the geopolitical actor it needs to be. In my meetings around the world, I hear the same concern again and again. Many countries do not want a world defined only by pressure and transactions. They want predictability. They want sovereignty. They want partnerships that create value without extracting it. They are looking for leadership. And they are looking to Europe. I believe Europe can show the world that there's another way. Our partnerships are rooted in shared success, rather than a zero-sum game. This is what our approach with Global Gateway is about. And as ambassadors, you are uniquely positioned to advance it. So, at this critical time, I call on you to use your positions and influence to deliver on this agenda. I count on you to turn our partnerships into concrete Global Gateway projects on the ground, using the full strength of Team Europe. Call on you to step up our communication. Our partners must clearly see Europe as a global power. Above all, I call on you to act urgently…decisively…and with full confidence in Europe's strength. Thank you. SPEECH/26/595
Speech Brief