Toespraak voorzitter Europese Commissie Barroso over het solidariteitsbeleid (en)

President of the European Commission

Solidarity for the Future: Opening Session

Solidarnosc Conference

Gdansk, 6 December 2008

Presidents,

Prime Ministers,

Distinguished guests,

Dzien dobry,

I am very grateful to the Lech Walesa for inviting me to take part in this conference in Gdansk. It is a pleasure to pay homage to the key protagonist of a chapter of history that changed the face of Europe forever.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Lech Walesa here in Gdansk recalls that unique combination of an individual destiny and a collective adventure that distinguishes major historical events.

Solidarnosc's rightly became a worldwide symbol of freedom and resistance to oppression. Struggling here in Gdansk for the values of democracy, freedom and solidarity, the Polish people once again took on the mantle of defenders of Europe's cultural, religious and humanist heritage.

I like to take this opportunity to pay a tribute to the Pope John-Paul II for his great contribution of the cause for Europe.

You, Lech Walesa, stand before us today as the very embodiment of this struggle.

In your 1983 Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech, read by yours wife Danuta, you said: "We desire peace – and that is why we have never resorted to physical force. We crave for justice – and that is why we are so persistent in the struggle for our rights. We seek freedom of convictions – and that is why we have never attempted to enslave man's conscience nor shall we ever attempt to do so".

Peace, justice and freedom: three pillars of the community of shared values, under the rule of law, which today constitutes the European Union. But there is also a fourth pillar: solidarity.

Lech Walesa, I see your invitation today as recognition that Europe stands for solidarity.

First, a solidarity within Europe, between our countries and regions. Structural funds, for example, represent a major redistribution from the richer to the poorer parts of Europe, and we are developing solidarity around the theme of energy security as another example.

Secondly, a solidarity with European citizens, which will become more important in these troubled economic times. We express this solidarity via the social funds and the new globalisation adjustment fund-helping workers and the most vulnerable in society.

Thirdly, solidarity between generations. Climate change is perhaps the most important long term challenge we face and we must preserve this planet for our children and future generations to enjoy.

But finally, we must also never forget Europe’s solidarity with the rest of the world. In the forum of development and the fight against poverty, hunger, disease. We must not use the financial crisis to postpone solidarity with the poorest people on the planet.

Approval of the €1 billion food facility is a good sign. Achievement of the millennium development goals would be better.

Do we need more solidarity? Of course we do. Because of interdependence, because of globalisation. Once again the financial crisis makes this clear. What can any of us achieve alone, at a purely national level, in the face of the challenges of globalisation? Now, more than ever, Europe needs the strongest links of solidarity.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Lech Walesa and Solidarnosc’s hugely ambitious strategy brought a whole new world.

In these critical times, the European Union can draw inspiration from this, and take action against today's challenges with renewed energy.

As the world once again stands on the brink of radical change, it is more necessary than ever to reaffirm the value of solidarity that will build our common future.

Pokoj, sprawiedliwosc, wolnosc i solidarnosc: cztery filary Europy.

Dziekuje.