CD&V

Speech of Yves Leterme Prime Minister of Belgium at The Croatia Summit in Dubrovnik

July 8 2011, 4:48am

Mr. PresidentMrs. Prime MinisterExcellenciesDistinguishes GuestsLadies and GentlemenLet me first thank the government of Croatia for inviting me to the Croatia Summit. It gives me the opportunity to congratulate warmly the Croatian authorities for having met all the criteria to become a full member of the European Union. We are happy that under the Belgian Presidency of the second half of last year important progress was made in these negotiations: eight chapters were successfully completed. Thanks to the Hungarian presidency the very last strategic impulse was given. I pay here a special tribute to you Prime Minister Kosor for your outstanding political will. You deserve credit for your pro-european policy and its tremendous achievement. You command a great deal of respect among the European political leaders.  I am here to deliver three key messages. The first one is about the unique idea we too often take for granted of having an ever closer union of the peoples of Europe through integration of their national policies and thanks to common institutions. It has been and will be a success story. All the European countries are invited to join us. And I say this today in this Forum because this region is part of Europe. Unity between nations cannot be imposed from above as history has shown. Unity between peoples must indeed be a bottom up process: that means that the consent of the people must be at the very heart of the integration. And I assure you as a founding member state that the diversity of the different peoples is granted within the European Union. That is why the unification of Europe is such a totally novel and inspiring enterprise, or - I should rather say - adventure. It is indeed an adventure, in the best sense of the word, that for the first time in history, we are creating unity in Europe, not imposed from above, but built up from below, with the consent of democratically elected governments and respecting diversity. I do not have to elaborate how important it is that our continent, for the first time in history, manages its diversity, which we cherish, in peace and freedom, in cooperation and integration.  My second message is about the present relationship between the European Union and South East Europe. Given the deep current economic difficulties we are facing, the European leaders have decided to deepen the integration of their economic, fiscal and monetary policies. Our common understanding is that, in a global world, the national sovereignty can only be exercised through multilateral mechanisms and cooperation. We achieved through our common policies to avoid a collapse of our economies when we faced the financial crisis of 2008. We saved our banks and took the necessary steps to prevent a similar turmoil. In the same way, it is through more common efforts that we will be able to resume with sustainable growth and to invest in the future. For both the European Union and Croatia, this very moment offers a golden opportunity to cease the momentum of the accession to attract investments, enhance trade, create jobs and enhance prosperity thanks the integration of the economy in the internal market. To be more specific, let’s work together to connect our countries thanks new transport and energy infrastructures that will shorten distance, reduce time and secure supply. Doing so, the Union will open up the region and put it much firmer on the map of European and world investment and development.  You will understand that my third message to you is that you are invited to play a role in Europe and to be actors of the integration. Croatia will become soon the 28th member state but, at the same time, will be considered as the first one in having the same rights and responsibilities as any other member. Becoming a member of the Union means to become an actor and not only a consumer or spectator of the European Union. We all have to defend our common values of political democracy, respect of human rights and of minorities, free market economy and efficient governance. Our European model combines political and economic freedom with social solidarity and ecological responsibility. It means also sharing sovereignty. This is our common destiny. It is also your choice.To wrap up, we succeeded in uniting the peoples of Europe through integration of the national policies and invite the countries of South East Europe to join us. We are taking in these tough times new steps to deepen the integration of our economies and invite you to take advantage of it.We became partners in building a common society stronger thanks unity among equal members, and invite you all to make our Union as solid as possible, with a strong voice in the world, to promote stability, prosperity and generosity. I thank you for your attention.------------------------