Acceptance remarks

Presidents,
Prime Ministers,
Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Last but not least Tomas, thank you very much for that very generous introduction. Thank you very much for your kind words.

Thank you very much. 

I am humbled, and honoured, to be recognized in this manner.  I would therefore like to start my remarks by thanking the Slovak Atlantic Commission and the Czech Jagello 2000 Association.  For this generous award.  And for all the great work you do. 

But I would also like to thank many of you here in this room this evening.  Because without your support, this award would not have been possible.  To all of you, thank you very much.

Tomorrow, I will deliver a speech at our conference.  So this evening, I am sure you will forgive me - and perhaps even thank me - for keeping my remarks short.

Our dinner tonight is an opportunity to celebrate several key anniversaries.  And to remind ourselves of how far we have come these past 25 years.  We closed a dark chapter in Europe’s history.  We healed many of the divisions of the past.  And we opened the door to a new era. Where freedom, peace and prosperity could flourish.

And I still remember the historic moment in December 2002 in Copenhagen when I, as President of the European Council, after successful accession negotiations with ten eastern and central European countries could declare "our new Europe is born."

But we cannot take this progress for granted.  And with its aggression against Ukraine these past few months, Russia has called into question the very values and norms upon which we have built modern Europe.  Freedom.  Democracy.  The rule of law.  The inviolability of borders.  And the right of sovereign states to choose their own fate.

NATO has stood strong.  Not only in protecting the territory and populations of our 28 Allies.  But also in defending those values and norms.  And no one should doubt that we will continue to stand strong.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

If we make the wrong choices, we have a lot to lose.  But with the right choices, we have a lot to gain.  That is why we must continue to stand strong.  And stand up for our values.  For a Europe that is truly whole, free and at peace.  Firmly grounded in the European Union.  And firmly connected with our North American Allies through NATO. 

That is the capable, confident Europe I have worked for throughout my career.  I know it’s a vision you share.  It is a vision we should continue to uphold. And I thank you again for recognizing my commitment with this generous award.

Thank you very much.