European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, second left, speaks with French President Francois Hollande, left, at a round table meeting during an EU summit at Bratislava Castle in Bratislava on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016. Virginia Mayo / AP President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, outlined his vision to roll out 5G across the EU and give every village and city free internet.

He made the announcement in his annual State of the Union speech to the European Parliament.

Mr Juncker said: “We need to work for a Europe that empowers our citizens and our economy. And today, both have gone digital.

“Digital technologies and digital communications are permeating every aspect of life.

“All they require is access to high-speed internet. We need to be connected. Our economy needs it. People need it.”

He said: “That is why today the Commission is proposing to fully deploy 5G, the fifth generation of mobile communication systems, across the European Union by 2025.

“This has the potential to create a further two million jobs in the EU.

Nigel Farage, left, ex-leader of the British UKIP party and member of the European Parliament, shakes hands with Frans Timmermans, first vice president of the European commission, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, eastern France, Sept. 14, 2016. Jean-Francois Badias / AP

We propose today to equip every European village and every city with free wireless internet access around the main centres of public life by 2020.

“As the world goes digital, we also have to empower our artists and creators and protect their works.”

Speaking to MEPs in Strasbourg, Mr Juncker also said the EU needs a military headquarters to work towards a common military force.

He said: “We should also move towards common military assets, in some cases owned by the EU. And, of course, in full complementarity with NATO.

“The business case is clear. The lack of cooperation in defence matters costs Europe between €25 billion and €100 billion per year, depending on the areas concerned. We could use that money for so much more.”