Speech (extract) by Jean-Claude Trichet

Speech (extract) by Jean-Claude Trichet

‘Europe was the birthplace of the concept and the word “democracy”. Now it faces the task of completing the design of what it calls a "union" of states. Europe's future political and institutional framework will be no mere imitation of existing models. Instead, the Europeans will devise a new model, just as they did when they first invented democracy. They will set an example of “union” with an entirely new kind of confederation of sovereign states. This will require fundamental changes to the Treaty, and will have a definitive impact on the Union's responsibilities. Would it be too bold to envisage a future Union that has not only a single market, a single currency and a single central bank, but also a single ministry of finance?’