Dear Commissioner Kos,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to speak to you. From its very foundation, the European Union has been a peace project. It is the thread that has bound our Member States together and guided each step of our integration. But in times of geopolitical uncertainty, enlargement is more than a choice for peace. It is an investment in our collective security and freedom. Because history has taught us that when Europe stands united, we stand stronger.
In February, I travelled to Ukraine, in July to Moldova and in October to the Western Balkans. Each trip filled me with optimism. I met citizens, civil society and business representatives, and leaders. And I saw their hope for a European future. Of course, the way to European membership is challenging. It requires many reforms and alignment with our EU acquis. But the benefits are many. Countries that joined the European Union in the last wave experienced incredible economic growth. Living standards doubled, unemployment almost halved. Life expectancy rose by an average of four years, and six million new jobs were created.
The same will happen with the next enlargement process. But we wanted, to advance already now some of the positive effects. This is the purpose of our Growth Plans. Enlargement countries deliver key reforms to ensure a level playing field with our Unions Single Market. And in return, Europe opens sectors of the Single Market. All this is combined with substantial investment. We integrate strategic local industries into European supply chains. Together, we create jobs and increase knowledge and expertise. We invest in vital links such as cross-border transport. And cheap, clean and renewable energy, to give reliable local energy supplies. And there are even more benefits. Like abolishing roaming charges for phone calls to the European Union. Or access to SEPA, so that companies can send money to and from the Union at greatly reduced costs. This will save millions of euros a year. And this is how we build a Europe of shared prosperity.
Enlargement is a journey that matters to all of us. Because we all share the same continent, history, culture and challenges. We see the passion of young people - in candidate countries as well as in member states – to live in one European Union. They want to seize the opportunities and enjoy the freedoms that membership provides. They want to live in a stronger, prosperous and united Europe. Because Europe is more than a Union – it is our home.
I wish you a successful conference. Long live Europe!
