Austrian Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs

Photo: Georges Schneider/BMEIA

The European Union is based on common values such as respect for human dignity and human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law. The EU has helped to spread democracy, stability, security and prosperity across most of the continent and beyond. Even though Europe and the European Union are part of a perpetually changing world, these values represent continuity and should give guidance in times of change.

Change often goes hand in hand with new challenges, and they are manifold today, ranging from establishing a healthy economic climate to providing social security, from guaranteeing cultural diversity to pursuing sustainable integration, from fighting poverty to furthering prosperity and combatting climate change.

In order to successfully deal with these challenges, we need to build on the progress and the achievements of the European Union. At the same time we must be mindful of what lies ahead and how we can deal with the challenges. We need to reinforce the confidence of the citizens in the European project so that they can identify themselves with the EU and will therefore strive to further develop the EU for the purpose of making it more efficient.

In this context, it is our responsibility to uphold prosperity and a high standard of living. This is only possible if Europe remains competitive, if it can offer a solid basis for entrepreneurship and is able to keep pace with developments especially in the era of digitalisation.

With this in mind, I wish you all fruitful, interesting and thought-provoking discussions and a successful “Free Market Road Show” 2018.

Karin Kneissl