Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be able to join you for AgoraEU 2025. You made a good choice to meet in Braga. Of course, because of its unique beauty and culture. But also because of what it represents. Braga is one of the oldest cities in Portugal. Steeped in its thousands of years of history. But today it is a hub for entrepreneurs and new technologies – full of ideas and of young people.
For me, Braga symbolizes the idea behind Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. And these programmes are the real essence of our European project. Almost 17 million young people have made the most of Erasmus+ since its creation. And over 70,000 made the choice to travel to Portugal last year alone. But the value of Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps cannot be measured in these numbers. It is about the skills and experiences you gain. The friendships you make. The opportunities it creates. The cohesion it builds. And so much more. This is why I believe Erasmus+ is the best investment in Europes future. An investment in building communities – for example through youth and sport projects. Or by allowing young people to discover Europe and volunteer to help others. This is the backbone of our culture, our democracy and our Union. This is why we have proposed to double Erasmus+ for the next long term budget. And build a new programme called AgoraEU to focus on culture, media and civil society.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I want to leave you with a quote which I believe best describes the work you are doing. It comes from Sofia Corradi – the mother of Erasmus+ and a true visionary. She used to say that Erasmus is not just studying abroad. It is about living Europe. It was with great sadness that I learnt of her passing just a few weeks ago at 91 years old. But as you will see and hear in Braga over the next two days, her legacy and her vision lives on. Because your work is about providing opportunities for young people. About understanding our differences. And understanding how those differences connect us. I believe that this connection between us – in all of our diversity and difference - this is truly what Europe is. So I want to wish you the very best for AgoraEU 2025.
Long live Europe.
