Roberta Metsola's doorstep before the SOTEU 2026 debate

President Metsola: Good morning. Big day for the European Parliament. And for the European Union, as we today have the highlight in our annual calendar, which is the presentation of the State of the Union. But it is also the moment for members to debate. To ask questions, and to demand answers. From the European Parliament perspective, our demands are pretty clear. First of all, we would expect strong announcements on competitiveness, how to keep costs down, but at the same time, how as a Europe we're going to compete and stand on our own two feet. Secondly, on security, how we're going to make sure that our external borders are secure and that our people feel safe in the European Union. Thirdly on climate, especially after what we have seen over the past months, we have to make sure that we are prepared, better prepared for extreme weather on our continent. And fourthly, on social agenda. How can we make life more affordable for our citizens? That's what our citizens want. They want their life to be safer, they want it to be more affordable, and they want it to be fairer. We are especially proud to have Prime Minister Carney here. He will attend today's State of the Union. He will arrive in just a few moments and then he will address members of the European Parliament tomorrow. This sends the strongest messages. First of all, that from this house we are projecting Europe as a geopolitical actor. Secondly, that we want to embed and we want to deepen our relationship with friends across the world, both in terms of trade, countries that have similar values to us, that value democracy, that look forward in a world that is more interconnected. And that I'm sure both today with Prime Minister Carney, with individual members of this House and tomorrow before the whole Parliament, he will project. Thank you very much.