Europa Forum Lech 2019: Europe should stand strong and safeguard its values

Wien (OTS) – Policymakers, business leaders and civil society representatives from all over Europe called for unity among all those who wish our continent to continue fostering peace, democracy and prosperity.

The eighth edition of the Europa forum, entitled “European values:
a model for the future”, focused on the choices lying ahead of the European Union and the directions the European project could take after the upcoming European elections. The participants examined all possible scenarios from the perspective of the EU member states, EU institutions, strategic industries and non-governmental organisations. They were unanimous that the accumulation of political, economic and security challenges require common purpose, consolidation and strong leadership.

Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner in charge of budget and human resources, stressed that only on this basis Europe can preserve its welfare states, efficiently address citizens’ concerns and restore its leadership on the global political and economic scene:

“We cannot give way to suspicious political concepts that will create new problems instead of solving the existing ones. Europe should think big, unite around public good and translate its ambitions into determined actions. We should also not forget that such actions require corresponding financial recourses. The next long-term EU budget, proposed by the Commission, reflects people’s wishes for safety, security, stable social-market economy and more opportunities for all. Reaching a timely agreement on this proposal would send a strong signal of vision, direction and determination.”

According to the European Commissioner for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn, the EU needs to channel its economic force politically and institutionally in order to remain a trendsetter on the international level for global standards on climate change, human rights, rule of law, democracy and social norms:

”Europe should be able to export opportunities and stability in order to avoid importing instability. All opinion polls consistently show that citizens want more Europe on the global stage. We must reach out and strengthen the rules of the global game – otherwise others will write them for us,”said Commissioner Hahn.

The organizers from the municipality of Lech and Land Vorarlberg thanked the participants for enriching the Europa Forum tradition of high quality debates on Europe, and expressed hope to welcome them again in Lech.

Digital press kit: http://www.ots.at/pressemappe/1179/aom

Vertretung der EU-Kommission in Österreich
Heinz-Rudolf Miko
Pressesprecher
++43 6767 90 80 45
Heinz-Rudolf.Miko@ec.europa.eu

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