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President of the Court of Justice,
Judges and Advocates-General,
Presidents,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Fellow Europeans,
Exactly 25 years ago, in January 2000, a European Convention gathered to draft our Charter of Fundamental Rights. Chaired by President Roman Herzog, it aimed to place people at the heart of our Union, with their dignity and rights. It reminded Europeans that we are not merely customers in a Single Market, but citizens in a Union of free people. As President Herzog noted, the Charter was written for all Europeans, including future Member States citizens. It was more than a summary of our Constitutions; it is a promise. A promise to current and future generations that our Union would always uphold universal rights, freedoms, and dignity across this continent.
In the past five years, the Charters promise and our Treaties were tested like never before. Tested by a global pandemic, as we worked to protect our citizens health and freedoms. Tested by unprecedented challenges to the rule of law and the primacy of our Treaties. And tested by war, through Putins invasion of Ukraine, a full-scale assault on the rights and values we cherish. These years have shown our Charter and Treaties are more than words; they are a legacy to protect. This legacy, the guarantee of each citizens rights, lies in the hands of this Court.
This is the responsibility I embraced five years ago and which we all uphold today. The next five years will be as challenging as the last. Our principles will be tested, by international order fragmentation and those sowing fear and division. Individual rights and freedoms can never be taken for granted. This is why we, this Court and this Commission, are guardians of the rule of law, democracy, and social progress.
Our economies will also face challenges amid intensified global competition. We work hard on European competitiveness today. Elsewhere, competitiveness is seen as sacrificing partners, gaining advantage by breaking free from common rules. In Europe, we know the opposite is true.
Our economy thrives when it adheres to our social pact, balancing business freedom with worker protection. When men and women have equal opportunities. When citizens and businesses are safeguarded by an independent judiciary. Rule of law, environmental protection, decent working conditions are our competitive edge. Our laws must be a competitive advantage, simplified yet never at workers or the environments expense. By setting international standards, as with the General Data Protection Regulation. By providing businesses with a clear, predictable framework. In essence, the best investment conditions, as business freedom relies on legal certainty.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Colleagues,
Today we vow to be guardians of the Treaties. Les gardiens des Traités. Our Union is not just a treasure to guard. Protecting our Treaties and breathing life into them is a daily task. Our values are universal; they remain unchanged. But the world around us changes. Again and again, we must find new paths to fulfill our duty as Treaty guardians. The Unions founding values are clear in the first sentence of the second article of the Treaty on European Union. Respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law, and human rights, including minority rights. Today, we vowed to do everything to defend our Union. It is a great responsibility, but a beautiful one. Fulfilling this responsibility with you, my colleagues, fills me with joy. As our anthem captures Europes passion in music. Thats why its called Ode to Joy. Lets work with responsibility, sincerity, and joy.
Es lebe Europa. Long live Europe. Vive lEurope.