"Europe in a changing world" - Speech by EU Commissioner Orban

Sommaire: "Europe in a changing world" - Speech by EU Commissioner Orban (23 March 2007: Rome)

Speech by Leonard Orban, European Commissioner responsible for Multilingualism, "Europe in a changing world", 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, Rome

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a real pleasure for me to be here today, and I would like to address my special thanks to the organisers for inviting me and giving me this opportunity of sharing with you my vision on Europe.

Today, more than ever, all roads lead to Rome. Fifty years ago, the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community was signed in Rome, we are now renewing this pact, preparing the way to consolidate the initial political project and bring the EU further on. In this sense, the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome is an opportunity to evaluate what went well and what went wrong, but more than this I see it as an opportunity to look ahead to the next 50 years.

In a changing world, this is not an easy task as new realities demand new actions. The process of globalisation, the emergence of new powers and the emergence of new technologies have all resulted in a different international redistribution of cards. Who could have envisaged, 50 years ago, the current state of play? Not even the changing remained the same as the world is spinning ever faster around the game of reconfiguration.

In this changing environment, the EU is changing itself. A dynamic process by nature, the EU capitalised upon the enlargement policy, as a lever in answering the challenges of the changing world. What began as the EEC on 25th of March 1957 has grown into a Union of 27 Member States which, after so many years of war, is the expression of a united and free Europe, ensuring a level of prosperity and stability unknown in recent history. The Union brought peace, cooperation between people and solidarity. Former enemies became best friends and joined forces to build a common future.

Today, we can certainly feel a sense of achievement on how much the EU has accomplished. The EU has grown steadily with a series of successful enlargements over the years. The history of the EU is indeed a history of enlargement, constantly acting as a win-win process for both old and new member states alike.

With the fifth enlargement accomplished this year, we may clearly acknowledge that the enlargement policy has been a success-story, not only in economic terms, but also and mainly in political terms.

None of the much feared effects happened. It is true that discrepancies between regions have increased. But the new member states have also a stronger economic growth, which accelerates catching up. Estonia had an economic growth of 11,4 % in 2006, Latvia 11.9% and Romania 7.7%. The so feared "invasion" did not happen and delocalisation was less than expected.

It is the time now for the new member states to bring their contribution to deepening the EU. I read an economic analysis recently that said that the new member states, having undertaken so many reforms to pass from the communism to market economy are used with reforming and are eager to push ahead. This is an impetus for the Union.

2007 is a historical milestone in the evolution of the European Union. It is a time of celebration. It is a time of reflection. It is a time for building upon our past achievements.

Where are we heading from now on? What is our vision?

I strongly believe that our vision is to be strong inside and a global player outside. No member state could do it alone, but together we can do it.

Our main strength is our diversity. Crystallised in different forms, from cultural, to linguistic and social diversity, it represents the very core of the European identity, which combines the different pieces of specificity in the well-joined European puzzle. In this sense, the creation of a distinct portfolio for multilingualism is relevant to the need of the European Union to preserve and enrich its unity in diversity. Even more, the creation of this new portfolio entrusted to the first Commissioner coming from a fresh member state, clearly shows the added-value the new member states can bring to the European construction.

We are already an economic power. Still, we need to secure stronger economic growth, to create better jobs and to have sustainable development.

This is why the Commission launched the so-called Lisbon strategy to address these challenges. But Lisbon is not about abstract figures. It is about our lives and about our future.

There is still much work needed to create a fully integrated single market. Barriers do not stem only from the legislative and administrative constraints. They arise also from language as I can see every day, in my work. Our companies as well as our citizens need language skills to cope with the challenges of the changing working environment, with the challenges of globalization. Russian, Chinese or Arabic languages are more and more needed and Europeans learn them. Because being a global player means being able to understand others.

But the European Union has to be a major player not only at the economic level, but also in other areas.

The recent European Spring Council was a clear proof that the enlarged European Union is capable of delivering decisions on very important issues; the climate and energy package in this sense, became a benchmark for our capacity to produce integrated policy proposals. For many, the unilateral commitment to reduce the green house emissions by 20% seemed as a sign of giving up. We are caught in the climate change dilemma where if no one does anything, everybody loses. We start first and we hope the others follow the example.

However, this can also be a test for the Union's leadership in the world and its capacity to influence others. A larger and stronger Union speaking with one voice can play a major role in shaping the globalised world. It should and can be a front-runner in development, technology, education and science, combating climate change, etc. It should continue to be a factor of stability and security and progress for the entire world.

The European Union has a clear international vocation. First of all, being the biggest donor of financial assistance in the world, the European Union is highly committed to preventing conflicts. It is active in peacekeeping and peacemaking actions, and it runs many projects that help to make human rights, democracy and economic development succeed in practical terms.

Secondly, the sheer size of the European Union in economic, trade and cooperation for development makes it a world player, as well. The EU's web of bilateral and multilateral agreements covering most countries and regions of the globe, clearly measures its importance in the global economy.

Even more, the European Union has always strived to ensure that the economic benefits of globalisation go hand in hand with social progress.

Are we too ambitious in our project? Not at all.

I belong to those who believe that as the EU became bigger and bigger, it also grew stronger and stronger. The EU presently comprises nearly all the states of Europe, and in these circumstances, one may say that an enormous step has been taken in shaping the Union as a global actor.

The EU is 50 years old. I, as Commissioner, am only a couple of months old. But just like in real life, our role, as new-comers, is to build upon the experience of our predecessors, while bringing a spirit of fresh air and vibrant enthusiasm.

Coming from Romania, I have experienced the long road towards accession. But all along this road, I have felt the European values acting as a catalyser, leading our way.

In this sense, being a European citizen makes me proud and responsible at the same time. Proud of being able to enjoy the whole set of freedoms, to enjoy high living standards, while benefiting from equally high social standards, to enjoy the feeling of safety and security all around EU - just to give a few examples. But at the same time, I do believe we have a moral commitment not only to preserve these benefits, but also to further develop and better integrate them.

The European Union is definitely a process of spiral dynamics. Each generation has something to contribute. And we, as new generation have an obligation to ensure that the construction functions as efficiently as possible.

This is the real challenge of today - trying to move one step forwards with each initiative we take. Trying to deepen Europe as it is. Trying to expand our vision so as to shape the Union to the challenges of a changing world.

My dream is that in 50 years' time, the fresh generation of the time be at least as proud of us as we are now of you.

Indeed, we have changed the world and we'll continue to change it by the force of example.

For the EU to play its role as a global actor, an institutional reform is needed in order to better endow the Union with the necessary tools to deepen integration, to face globalisation and not least, to be able to exercise its influence at the global level. A new Treaty is a sine qua non condition for the future functioning of the Union, the more so in the context of a changing world. In this respect, the Declaration to be signed tomorrow in Berlin is meant to renew our commitment to an enlarged, sustainable, open and competitive Europe. A Europe of human values, economic achievement and political ambitions. A Europe closer to its citizens, that is able to communicate with them and meet their expectations.

I am greatly attached to the idea that we should not talk about the physical borders of the Union, but about new frontiers that have to be challenged in the future. I don't believe in clashes of civilisations and I am convinced that the Union has a major role to play in building bridges and not in fixing borders.

My eyes are on the European Union, but my mind is on a global vision. And here is the key. We should continue deepening the integration process, not only at economic level, but also at political, social, military and security level, preparing the ground for a stronger and stronger EU in global terms.

I am confident that, together, we can make the single voice of the Union echo all around the world and with the optimism of new member states towards the European idea, I strongly believe that in 2057, the EU will be able to add a whole series of achievements in its Declaration of 100 years.

Ref: SP07-135EN
Source UE: Commission Européenne
UN forum:
Date: 23/3/2007

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