Kyiv, Ukraine: The European Union, once seen as a passive executive body, has evolved into a proactive force actively shaping policies in health and defense. This shift, prompted by crises like the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, has driven the Commission to expand its powers and advocate for greater European integration. With new Commissioners now in charge, the EU is entering a new phase characterized by continuous challenges.

Health policy was traditionally not considered a central focus of the EU. However, this perception changed dramatically after Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced her ambition to strengthen Europe in the wake of the pandemic during her State of the Union address to the EU Parliament in September 2020. She introduced the idea of a European Health Union, which quickly gained traction among other European institutions, including the Parliament and the Council. This collaboration enabled the EU to jointly procure vaccines shortly thereafter.

Since that time, the European Health Union has been focused on implementing joint measures for pandemic prevention and reforming national healthcare systems.