Marcelo calls for a united Europe that fights for a solidarity peace, that avoids nationalism and illiberalism. “Portugal has a role to play in all these challenges.”
The President of the Republic advocated this Tuesday for a European Union “active, leader, more determined and resolute than ever” and that knows how to unite for peace and be supportive, “without anti-liberalism or nationalism.”
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa left this message in a note published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet to celebrate Europe Day “and its unique project of unity and solidarity.”
Today [terça-feira]more than ever, it is imperative that we know how to draw inspiration from those who, during the last seven decades, dreamed and aspired to a Europe united by peace, hope, well-being and a prosperous future for all Europeans, but also supportive and welcoming to those They are looking for us and need our firm support”, he defended.
Citing French Simone Veil, the first woman to preside over the European Parliament, the head of state said: “The fate of Europe and the future of the free world are entirely in our hands.”
“Europe and the millions of Europeans deserve to believe in its future and in a pioneering Union —in climate, energy, digital, knowledge and in so many other crucial areas— and, above all, active, leading, more determined and decisive than ever” he begged.
In this note, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated Portugal’s commitment “to the founding principles and values” of the European Union, “Human dignity, freedom, equality, democracy, rule of law, respect and promotion of human rights, pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance, social justice.”
According to the President of the Republic, “forged in crisis, as Jean Monnet predicted, Europe lives under the specter of a cyclical emergency”, with the Covid-19 pandemic, the “inflation shock” and “the emergence of shock of war in Ukraine” caused by the Russian invasion on February 24 last year.
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa added that the The European Union has also faced “the irruption of the nationalist alarm”a “protectionist risk” and “the emergence of the danger of political and social closure”.
“In a time of uncertainty, unpredictability and crisis, it is extremely important to ensure that the dramatic changes taking place in the European Union, its borders and the rest of the world do not lead to an erosion of these common values. For this, it is vital, without illiberalism or nationalism, that we take care of our democracies, without which there is no European Union”considered.
According to the head of state, “Portugal has a role to play in all these challenges” against the European Union.
“Its compliance will project our country, ensure the well-being of our people and help Europe overcome the phase of cyclical emergencies and enter the phase, so often postponed, of greater self-confidence shared between States and peoples”, he considered. .
Source: Observadora
