Brussels, 16 May 2023
As detailed yesterday during her press conference, today President von der Leyen starts a series of international engagements that will take her to Iceland, Japan and the Republic of Korea. A united response to Russia’s war and steadfast support to Ukraine, a multifaceted approach to our relations to China, efforts to enhance economic security and a common decarbonisation endeavour will be at the core of the President’s discussions with partners.
Today, the President is in Reykjavik, where she will meet the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir. Their meeting will be followed by a press conference at +/- 16:45 CEST which will be broadcast on EbS. Later today, President von der Leyen will participate in the Summit of Heads of State or Government of the Council of Europe. The President will take part in the opening session of the Summit, with the title ‘United around our values’, which you can follow live on EbS. Then she will participate in a roundtable discussion on ‘Supporting Ukraine – solidarity and accountability’. Finally, the leaders will have a working dinner under the title ‘United for Ukraine’.
The Summit will continue tomorrow, when President von der Leyen will deliver remarks at the General Debate on ‘United for Europe’, which will also be broadcast live on EbS.
Then, President von der Leyen will travel to Hiroshima, where she will participate in the Summit of the G7 between Friday and Sunday, 19-21 May. During the different working sessions, G7 leaders will discuss issues such as the situation in Ukraine, in the Indo-Pacific, economic resilience and security, and engagement with G20 and Global South partners, amongst others.
On Saturday, in the margins of the Summit, the President will host together with US President Joe Biden, and the Prime Minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, a special event on the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which you can follow live on EbS.
Finally, on Monday, 22 May, President von der Leyen will arrive in Seoul to participate in the EU-Republic of Korea Summit along with the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol. A press conference will conclude the meeting and will be transmitted live on EbS.
The President’s public remarks during these summits will be published on Press Corner.
Source – EU Commission