If I did not know the addressee personally, I would keep off the subject of their health. The Senningen castle will see many more Eurogroup anniversaries.I am trying to ascertain exactly the kind of person to whom you are writing. And I am hopeful that we will succeed, that we will make the most of this historic task. It is our turn now, it is now up to our Eurogroup to take the euro forward. The Economic and Monetary Union is a project that is worth all our efforts, for creating a brighter and more prosperous future for our children and great-grandchildren across the continent.
In today's fast-changing and increasingly unpredictable world, it is important - more than ever before - that we neither give up, nor relent, nor become divided. To destroy can be the thoughtless act of a single day." As Winston Churchill said: "To build may have to be the slow and laborious task of years. The history of the union shows us that this requires time, energy and commitment. You and I have a clear mandate to continue with this responsible task. However, our mission to shield the euro is not yet complete. The Eurogroup is the high point of a magnificent construct.įrom the Agora of Athens to the Plaza Mayor of Madrid, from the Brandenburger Tor to the canals of Amsterdam – they are all parts of our Euro Area. And I am convinced that the members of the first Eurogroup - not least President Juncker - are proud to see that it has thrived - and emerged stronger. Many believed it would fail, they were proven wrong. I am sure that nobody then could foresee the extent nor the magnitude of crises, downturns and ordeals awaiting the euro on its path. Lessons have been learned, ideas polished and improved, plans redrawn until, 30 years later - in 1999 - the euro finally celebrated its official birthday. Since 1969 (when my own country and a few others were living the hardship of dictatorships), the then Community has drawn up several plans for bringing it to life. Many leaders, dignitaries and bright minds from across the continent had been nurturing it for years. The idea of Economic and Monetary Union - and that of a single currency for Europe - is not as young as the Eurogroup itself. Only bold, pragmatic ideas can produce rewarding results. I am confident we will have the political resolve to take it into the next level. Looking backwards, I can only conclude that we are net winners of this process. The Eurogroup ministers of 20 years ago were the pioneers tasked with fleshing out that decision, and that often meant taking risks, venturing into uncharted waters.
The decision to launch the Economic and Monetary Union required considerable political vision, determination and a clear sense of purpose. Yet here we are today, honoured to be witnessing this historic moment, and entrusted with the task of continuing to work for what has proved to be the most successful endeavour in the history of European integration - the euro. Probably we never thought at the time that one day we would be taking care of the finances of our respective countries. In the past, people needed to carefully sort out coins in our pocket - The Portuguese 2,5 escudos coin was exactly similar to the 50 pfennig coin- a jackpot and the 20 escudos coin was quite similar to the 2 French franc coin, nevertheless a smaller difference. Most of us were very young – as indeed we still are – and enjoying the first years in which we could travel easily throughout Europe with a single currency. This is a joyful occasion, and there is much to celebrate – the euro is enjoying wide support among citizens, it is stable and has become the world's second reserve currency, while all our countries are experiencing solid economic growth.Īmong ministers, none of us was here, in the halls of the enchanting Château de Senningen, twenty years ago when our predecessors met for the first time to discuss their collective responsibility to develop the euro. I am very proud and happy to be here with you today to celebrate the Eurogroup's twentieth anniversary.
Eurooppa-neuvoston puheenjohtajan aikataulu.Why salamanders are important to you: 30 years of nature protection in Europe.Feeding Europe: 60 years of common agriculture policy.EU:n vastaus Venäjän hyökkäykseen Ukrainaan.Paschal Donohoe, euroryhmän puheenjohtaja.Charles Michel, Eurooppa-neuvoston puheenjohtaja.Back to top Hae Hae Hae < Valikko Takaisin
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