President von der Leyen also expressed “a heartfelt apology” to Italy on behalf of Europe for not being at the country's side from the very beginning of the crisis. However, the many examples of European cooperation over the past weeks – with doctors, medical equipment and patients moving across borders – have shown that “Europe has now become the world's beating heart of solidarity,” she said. Looking ahead, President von der Leyen said that it was the moment “to put behind us the old divisions, disputes and recriminations” in order to make Europe’s economies, societies and way of life more sustainable and resilient. She urged massive investment to jumpstart Europe’s economies in the form of a ‘Marshall Plan’ for Europe's recovery. Calling the European budget “the mothership of our recovery,” the President noted that it is the only time-tested instrument for cohesion, convergence and investment that is trusted by all Member States. Finally, President von der Leyen emphasised the need to keep investing in the European Green Deal, and to ensure that the economic recovery is built on cohesion and convergence to help those countries and regions hardest hit by the crisis.