The President of the European Commission Jean Claude Juncker addressed to the European Parliament about the state of the Union 2017 and presented the Commission's guidelines by the end of his mandate as well as his vision of Europe.

During his speech, Juncker outlined several most important proposals such as strengthening the European trade agenda, the EU's commitment to dealing with climate change, introduction of a new industrial strategy, and better protection of Europeans in the digital age, or fighting against cyber attacks.

The EU Commission President also emphasized his wish to establish a system of legitimate migration as well as to preserve and strengthen European values of freedom and equality. He also added that in a Union of equality there could be no second-class citizens, no second-class workers and no second-class consumers.

In addition, Juncker pointed out that in order to build a more united, stronger and more democratic Union, there is a need to strengthen the EU external borders,  ‘’A more united Union also needs to become more inclusive. If we want to strengthen the protection of our external borders, then we need to open the Schengen area of free movement to Bulgaria and Romania immediately. We should also allow Croatia to become a full Schengen member once it meets all the criteria’’, commented Juncker.