Valeriu Ghilețchi, ECPP president:

“We are happy to see the prominent place of children and families in the plans of the Commission. Children and families are the future of our Union. At the same time, as ECPP, we are disappointed by the silence on the reappointment of an EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief.”

Positives

ECPP particularly welcomes the focus on protecting children and, by extension, families. We support the initiative to return Ukrainian children abducted by Russian aggressors. This is a heinous crime and a severe violation of the rights and dignity of Ukrainian children. ECPP calls on Russia to stop the practice of kidnapping and forcibly russifying Ukrainian children. We also welcome the initiative to protect children on social media from harmful algorithms and content, such as cyberbullying, pornography, self-harm, and addictive content, while empowering parents to safeguard their children.

The Commission’s plans to eradicate poverty by 2050 and to protect children through a Child Guarantee are welcomed by ECPP. We also appreciate the acknowledgement of current housing costs as a major obstacle for young people starting families, as this affects communities, economies, personal wellbeing, and society at large. Therefore, the initiative for more affordable housing is a welcome one.

ECPP supports the assumption of greater responsibility in European defence, including the strengthening, development, and deployment of defence systems, while acknowledging NATO’s essential role. Initiatives such as the Eastern Flank Watch are positive steps. Europe has neglected military and defence for decades, relying heavily on the United States, and ECPP supports a stronger European role. Additionally, President von der Leyen announced the Commission’s wish to integrate Moldova, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans into the EU. ECPP welcomes their accession on the condition that the Copenhagen criteria are fully met, rather than as a rushed geopolitical move, while acknowledging the geopolitical advantages of their membership.

We support the Commission’s “omnibus” measures to reduce bureaucracy and complex paperwork. However, it is important that enterprise supply chains remain transparent to combat modern slavery and ensure due diligence.

Negatives

While the Commission President affirmed the protection of the freedom to pray in Europe, ECPP is disappointed that she remained silent on the appointment of an EU Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB). Such a Special Envoy is essential to foster, protect, and address FoRB both within the EU and globally, and a reappointment is urgent.

The address included numerous social engineering proposals and announced around a dozen new agencies and institutions, but there was no explanation of how these proposals will be executed or how the new agencies will function. Much was said, but little was concrete. While plans to protect EU democracies against organized misinformation and disinformation were highlighted, no measures were presented to safeguard freedom of speech. ECPP values freedom of expression and stresses that combating misinformation, especially from hostile or unfree countries, should not restrict individuals’ right to speak freely.

ECPP calls on President von der Leyen and the Commission to refrain from overextending their authority in areas where they have no competence. The Commission’s role should be facilitative rather than directive, leaving decision-making to Member States. Over-centralisation should be avoided, with a focus on subsidiarity.

Photo: © European Union 2025 – Source : EP