Dear fellow Europeans and visitors from around the world,
Today the European Union is a community of 27 member states and the home of more than 490 million citizens. It is the N° 1. player in world trade and the largest competitive single market in the world. It produces 20 p.c. of wealth in the world and it is the leading donor to the developing countries. With its size come expectations and with expectations comes responsibility.
Our citizens expect a better life, more security, more solidarity and sustainable development as they want to share the achievements of integration with their children and grandchildren. They expect the European Union to play a growing role in shaping the future of the world promoting freedom, democracy, justice, the rule of law, stability and security.
