Europe's freedom depends on its economic strength - Von der Leyen

STRASBOURG - EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday her new top team will prioritise work to boost the bloc's competitiveness as Europe's freedom and security depend on its "economic strength".

"Our freedom and sovereignty depend more than ever on our economic strength. Our security depends on our ability to compete, innovate and produce," von der Leyen told the European Parliament ahead of a vote to confirm the members of her second European Commission.

"Our social model depends on growing the economy while facing demographic change," said von der Leyen, promising a "common decarbonization and competitiveness agenda" to balance EU climate commitments with business concerns about excessive red tape.

Leyen promised that her program would focus on the EU catching up with the US and China on new business and technology, and on making the EU more self-sufficient and secure.

On defense, the EC President called for more resources to be allocated to it.

"Russia is spending up to 9 percent of its GDP on defense. Europe is spending on average 1.9 percent. There is something wrong in this equation," she said, ahead of a confirmation vote for her new team of EU commissioners.

"Our defense spending must increase," von der Leyen added. "War is raging on Europe's borders... We have no time to waste, and we must be as ambitious as the threats are serious."