Toespraak EC-voorzitter Barroso: toekomstige missie EU - geen vrede zonder rechtvaardigheid en solidariteit (en)

José Manuel Durão BARROSO

President of the European Commission

The future mission of the EU – without justice and solidarity no peace

Osnabrück (Germany), 23 May 2008

Exzellenzen,

Herr Präsident des Europäischen Parlaments Hans-Gert Pöttering,

meine Damen und Herren,

ich danke dem Präsidenten des Zentralkomitees der deutschen Katholiken, Herrn Prof. Dr. Hans Joachim Meyer, für die Einladung zu diesem Katholikentag. Sehr gern nehme ich an dieser wichtigen Initiative der Zivilgesellschaft teil, die im deutschsprachigen Raum auf eine lange Tradition zurückblicken kann.

Im Europäischen Jahr des interkulturellen Dialogs ist die Tatsache, dass der Kirchentag in Osnabrück – der „Friedensstadt“ – stattfindet, von besonderer Bedeutung. Dies gibt uns allen Gelegenheit, uns den Wert von Versöhnung und Frieden durch Dialog zu vergegenwärtigen.

Die Anwesenheit des Präsidenten des Europäischen Parlaments, Hans-Gert Pöttering, und meiner eigenen Person als Vertreter der Europäischen Kommission ist ein Beispiel dafür, dass das europäische Projekt in den großen gesellschaftlichen Debatten unserer Zeit zunehmend an Bedeutung gewonnen hat.

Hans-Gert Pöttering gehört als Honorarprofessor an der Universität Osnabrück und ehemaliger Schüler des traditionsreichen Gymnasiums Carolinum, das zahlreiche bedeutende deutsche Politiker hervorbrachte, darüber hinaus zu Ihren angesehenen Landsleuten.

Und auch die Teilnahme der Institutionen der Europäischen Union an dieser Veranstaltung fügt sich nahtlos in die Geschichte und den Geist dieser Stadt ein, in ihre Kultur des Dialogs und des Friedens, die die Geschichte Europas geprägt hat. Ein Dialog nicht nur zwischen Katholiken und Protestanten, durch den sich diese ökumenische Stadt avant la lettre schon früh auszeichnete, sondern auch zwischen religiösen Gemeinschaften und politischen Institutionen.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

From the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 to the Treaties of Rome in 1957, Europe came a long way. But it was here that a new world order based on equal legal relations between secular states was established. It was here - in Osnabrück and Münster - that the foundations for the separation of political and religious power, and the Rule of Law, fundamental pillars of the modern State, were established.

Today's European Union is a unique system, with a particular role for its institutions and with an unprecedented degree of cooperation between its Member States, which remain nation states. It is a system rooted in shared values and goals. By building on law, we achieved peace. Through peace we gained freedom and democracy.

We now form a prosperous and cohesive Union, united in diversity, in an enlarged and open Europe.

What unites us is not merely an association of interests governed by a set of rules and regulations.

Above all, we are a community of values capable of building bridges with other regions of the world and of connecting with other cultures in this era of globalisation.

To defend and promote our values in the world, we again need a Treaty that is equal to the challenges of the new century. The Lisbon Treaty will strengthen Europe's role in the world, making the EU more democratic and more transparent and increasing its capacity for coherent action on the international scene.

The great mission of peace and reconciliation that guided European integration is now much wider in scope than in the last century. It depends on our ability to shape globalisation by promoting our values in the world. It also gives a crucial role to intercultural dialogue, including dialogue with religions, in order to build cohesive and inclusive societies both on the European continent and further afield – societies in which the full range of fundamental rights and freedoms are safeguarded effectively.

The growing importance of intercultural dialogue in international relations makes it the best antidote to the supposed "clash of civilisations" feared by some. Intercultural dialogue in a Europe "united in diversity" is a vital step towards ensuring the success of the EU's project of bringing peace to Europe and the world.

This is not a task for institutions alone – it needs to mobilise voices from across our society. The Lisbon Treaty explicitly acknowledges the special contribution made by churches and religious communities and gives formal shape to the dialogue which the EU, in particular the European Commission, has fostered over the years with this key component of civil society.

As in the past, this dialogue will take account of the role played by the various religious traditions established in Europe in building a community of values that are so important for European societies.

A stronger sense of belonging implies closer bonds between the EU and its citizens. "A citizen's Europe" must be at the heart of the European political agenda, but all sections of civil society have an important part to play in this process. As transnational organisations with strong local roots, churches and religious communities can make an effective contribution to mobilising public support and promoting European policies.

The EU's current political priorities are a response to the main concerns of its citizens in areas where a European dimension is vital. In our globalised world, it is increasingly apparent that no country, whatever its size, can tackle on its own global challenges such as climate change and sustainable development, energy security, international terrorism or migration, not forgetting Europe's competitiveness and its role in the world.

These issues, which are crucial for the future of Europe and for the global community as a whole, invoke our individual and collective responsibility and require joint action, with due respect for our values. That is why it is so important that all sections of society, in particular the great Christian community present both in Europe and the world, are committed to the cause.

To respond effectively to the new challenges of this century, we must acknowledge our duty of solidarity and justice towards the developing countries that are the most vulnerable and least prepared to deal with the impact of globalisation.

Helping them to adapt to climate change, for example, will be a major preoccupation in the coming years.

As world leader in the fight against climate change and in the filed of development aid, the EU has the requisite experience and credibility to map out new paths of development and cooperation with its international partners.

Solidarity is part of Europe's vision of development, together with respect for human rights, good governance, democracy and the rule of law.

Development is expressed not just in numbers, but also in values, which implies greater responsibility on all sides. This is the only way we can develop common strategies to reduce poverty and hunger in the world, the first of the Millennium Development Goals, which must also be an absolute priority for the international community.

We now need a new culture of cooperation that goes beyond traditional geographical, political and religious boundaries.

The ecumenical concept of "reconciled diversity" is an excellent source of inspiration for developing such a culture.

Because of its experience of cross-border integration and cooperation, Europe is particularly well placed to propose – but not impose – values and rules that contribute to a new world order in which developing countries can reap the full benefits of globalisation.

The current process of globalisation certainly entails risks, but it is also a unique opportunity to foster closer links and deeper understanding between peoples with different cultures. European integration has made Europe a laboratory for globalisation and a model of reconciliation between peoples rooted in the values of peace, freedom and solidarity, and the central value of human dignity.

Das Leitwort dieses Katholikentags „Du führst uns hinaus ins Weite“ lädt uns dazu ein, den Horizont des europäischen Projekts zu erweitern und dabei unsere Werte in der Welt zu verteidigen und in dem Bewusstsein voranzubringen, dass in ihnen die Kraft unserer Zukunft und die Hoffnung für eine solidarischere und gerechtere Welt liegt.

Vielen Dank.