Development Office Newsletter: Issue N°1 2010
column
President Van Rompuy visits the College of Europe
Herman Van Rompuy at the Concert Hall ('t Zand) in Bruges on 25 February.
The President was welcomed by Mr. Iñigo Mendez de Vigo, President of the Administrative Board of the College of Europe, Mr. Paul Breyne, Governor of the Province of West-Flanders and Mr. Paul Demaret, Rector of the College of Europe.
In his speech, the President outlined the impact of a new era of globalisation and the possible reactions by the European Union and the European Council in particular. According to Van Rompuy, the world is entering a new phase of political globalisation – after a purely economic process – in which powers are shifting and people are afraid about losing welfare. These circumstances require a political answer which everyone can influence. “You, the students of the next generation, have a choice. Europe has a choice. The world is changing and we must get ready for the change”, was Van Rompuy’s appeal to the audience. The European Council will focus on economic policy “to be strong” and foreign policy “to be united”. More specifically, “economic governance” by the European Council is needed in order to respond to the current crisis. In terms of foreign policy, this governance should be further developed while at the same time the relationships with international partners should be strengthened. But the President also pleaded for patience. Referring to the challenges of Europe’s diversity, he concluded: “In the European Union, we are often caught between ‘the one’ and ‘the many’, between ‘the whole’ and ‘the parts’. This tension is part of our identity. The génie européen is to invent ever new ways to deal with this tension”.
The speech was well received by the audience and there was a possibility to further discuss these issues at an informal reception.
More information