Europe needs to develop new battery technology, fight cancer and build a 5G network as part of a Pact for European Jobs, says EPP Group Chairman Manfred Weber in responding to the State of the Union speech by the head of the European Commission on Wednesday.

Weber, speaking in the European Parliament following the speech by Ursula von der Leyen, said it's about giving the EU more credibility with concrete projects and actions, including a Digital Act with binding targets for infrastructure and investment.

He also noted credibility means speaking with one voice globally, such as imposing new sanctions on government in Belarus in support of the pro-democracy movement there, and against Russia, including possibly halting the North Stream 2 gas pipeline.