Can European unity be built without mayors? Can we defend our values without local leaders? Their dedication is essential.
Paweł Adamowicz once said, I am a European, so my nature is to be open. He was assassinated for these beliefs. He stood for openness, tolerance, and solidarity.
Ms. Adamowicz, your husband inspired us all to build a peaceful Europe grounded in values. Local leaders, like mayors, understand citizens needs, address concerns, and drive community change. In crises, they respond first.
In Ukraine, mayors are resilience heroes. They provide leadership and services amid challenges. Local authorities turn sports halls into shelters and offer aid.
Its fitting a Ukrainian mayor receives the Mayor Paweł Adamowicz Award today. Congratulations, Vitaliy Klitschko.
Ive visited Kyiv and will return next week. Kyiv embodies the dream of a unified, peaceful, prosperous Europe, a Union of shared values.
Mayors are a defense line in wars but also heal post-war wounds. Recently, I attended the European Capital of Culture opening in Nova Gorica, Slovenia, and Gorizia, Italy. Once divided by war, these cities now share a community.
This cooperation model is what I envision for the Western Balkans, where war wounds linger. Its my wish for peace for Mr. Bassam Aramin and Mr. Rami Elhanans people.
Post-WWII Europe seemed impossible, yet weve built a Union of peace, freedom, and prosperity, a vision to expand across our continent.
Members of the Committee of the Regions, you are ambassadors of this vision in your regions and communities. A strong Europe is a collective project, requiring everyones participation.