Speech (extract) by Herman Van Rompuy

Speech (extract) by Herman Van Rompuy

‘As the European Union stands on the eve of political renewal, it is important to look ahead. From economic shocks to demographic shifts and climate trends – in a hypercompetitive world, we must concentrate on the right priorities. The list stands clearly before us: jobs and recovery, deepening the monetary union, climate and energy, freedoms and security, Europe’s action in the world. But I will not elaborate these themes; there are other places for that. [...] Europe is also a certain idea of ‘der Mensch’, or the person. As Arthur Koestler wrote: a person is infinitely more than one million divided by one million. Each person counts. This is the core value of our great civilisation, worthy of protection; this is Europe’s message to the world.’

Photo Herman Van Rompuy

Herman Van Rompuy

Herman Van Rompuy