It is reported by RIA Novosti.
“Europe, a god witness to this, faces serious challenges. You all know them — Brexit, the rise of populists, the trade war between the USA and China puts pressure on our enterprises and economic development in Europe, the vulnerability of our neighboring regions, ”she stressed at a conference of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Berlin.
She also recalled that by the end of the 21st century, Europeans will make up only 5% of the world’s population, while not a single EU country will represent even 1% of the world’s population.
However, according to her, from the EU’s weaknesses “a new force can grow”.
“You all know the term“ end of story. ” Today we must admit that our complacency was naive. At the same time, I think about Russia. The Kremlin pushes the established borders in Europe by violence, trying to use any vacuum left by the USA, ”said von der Layen.
The head of the EC also added that she was thinking about China, "the hopes of approaching which to the Western model have not come true."
Earlier, von der Leyen called on the EU to “build muscle” to protect its interests.