Let me first confess something. Yesterday I had mixed feelings about this event as I entered the conference room. Today I am very optimistic after the deliberations of the past one-and-a-half days. I am optimistic for two reasons. Firstly, because the timing of this discussion is perfect and secondly, because a good spirit has prevailed here over the last two days in St. Pölten. Allow me first to talk about the timing. I pointed out that Austria currently holds the EU presidency. The timing is also perfect because it is felt that something is lurking at the European level. On the one hand, there is clear unease and disillusionment on the part of our citizens. But there is also this commitment, this willingness on the part of all EU institutions to put an end to this unease. There is no doubt about the fact that we are now at a watershed. We are all aware of the fact that the expansion process also requires a deepening process on this Continent. That is one issue.
Secondly, all of us, including our citizens, feel that we are at a crossroads between the functional concepts that Europe now has at its disposal and the political approach making it necessary for Europe to be given more democratic leeway. This is something I feel intensely. That is why I am so optimistic. We have had very encouraging discussions here. I am optimistic in two regards. This conference has focused on a number of essential principles and there is general agreement that these are the fundamental principles.
There is no one here who is against the principle of subsidiarity, but the question remains why do these feelings of disillusionment and unease exist? And here I am referring to what Mr. Delebarre said earlier. We are trying to go beyond what is real in order to reach the ideal. That is naturally a thorny path. There can be no doubt about that.
I am convinced that because of the spirit that has prevailed during this conference, one or two of the obstacles in our way will be removed. This conference will also result in a number of concrete decisions taken at various levels and we won’t just leave St. Pölten with lofty words.
I am also very encouraged because we are now seeing that applying the principle of subsidiarity is an opportunity for us; we can create added value for Europe. We are in a win-win situation. Everybody envies us for being in this perfect starting position.
The question is how we can actually take advantage of this win-win situation in the years and decades to come. I think important ideas have been voiced both yesterday and today. If we strike the right balance between Europe and its regions, we have achieved a very important task.
We have to be very cautious and circumspect in our work, those are the principles we have to abide by on a day-to-day basis. We are faced with a win-win situation because there is now widespread agreement in EU institutions that the regions harbour substantial potential. It is our task to tap into this potential so that it can then be applied in the interest of Europe.
Just one more point: this is something where politicians are called upon, including local and regional politicians, to hear what their citizens have to say with regard to European issues.
Those working at the regional and local levels know that meeting citizens is not always a bed of roses, but we cannot avoid this interaction with our citizens at the regional level. That is the reason why we are putting a lot of pressure on the central institutions and telling them to pay head to the needs and wants of citizens.
Finally there is one more point, and here I am also tying in with what Mr. Stoiber said. If there is a lesson we can take home, it is this: let’s give small units their chance. It is necessary to recognise that non-regulation is often the best regulation. This is where we are all called upon to take action at regional and local levels.
In order to put this into practice, we need politicians that are courageous, that are prepared to say what their goals are and that are committed to these goals and do not shirk their responsibilities. That is the crucial point. We need to recognise that every regulation curtails at least a bit of diversity. Europe’s diversity is an opportunity, her wealth consists in this diversity.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you very much for coming here. Mr. Chancellor, thank you very much for launching this initiative. This conference on subsidiarity in Lower Austria has been a great success. Thank you, who have come from all over Europe to St. Pölten in order to contribute the spirit that is prevailing here. I hope you have enjoyed our hospitality in Lower Austria, and if so we want you to return soon. That would fill me with much joy and optimism for the future. I hope that this conference has made a significant contribution to turning the negative feelings towards Europe into a great deal of support.
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