Message from Jean-Claude Juncker — presentation

Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission and Chairman of the Patronage Committee for the ‘Pierre Werner and Europe’ research project (set up in 2011 when the project was launched), sent a video message to the participants in the academic event ‘Pierre Werner and Luxembourg: a vision of Europe’.

He started by outlining Pierre Werner’s career, which is inseparable from the European role of Luxembourg, and highlighting the academic research carried out by the CVCE on the achievements of this eminent architect of a united Europe.

He went on to mention the main issues on which the European Commission — and its President — are currently focusing their efforts: completing Economic and Monetary Union and giving it a real social dimension, completing the internal market, establishing a genuine ‘digital Europe’ and developing an effective Europe-wide energy policy, implementing a European migration policy, and making Europe stronger at home and across the world.

Juncker emphasised how Luxembourg has always played a key role in the European integration process, since the people of Luxembourg have always been able to rise above their emotions in order to embrace an ambitious vision of the European project and look ahead to the future.

In a Europe facing multiple crises, plagued by cracks in solidarity and in its commitment to a common cause, the example of Pierre Werner, a man of conviction and action and the mentor for many European leaders, should serve as an inspiration for younger generations.