Dear Europeans,

Today is Europe Day.

Europe has protected us from crises. And it will enable us to create jobs, security and order in a world full of dangers.

Let’s see how.

During the pandemic, it was our democracies that took the necessary steps to protect our most vulnerable citizens. It was our open societies that looked to science to develop, manufacture and provide vaccines to the entire world.

To tackle the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, Europe took an important step. We developed a joint recovery plan to provide support for our businesses and citizens – one that was unique in history.

Our joint response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was a landmark moment. We drew a line under European dependence on Russian fossil fuels. And today, with our help, Ukraine continues to resist and, on the strength of its own courage, will emerge victorious.

While it has sometimes been criticized for being slow or detached, Europe acted swiftly and strongly, in a show of solidarity. And in the decade to come, our Europe will enable us to face the challenges of the future.

It is Europe that now boasts the most ambitious climate plans. By 2030, our carbon emissions will have decreased by 55%. By 2050, we will have achieved carbon neutrality.

Most important, we will carry out this transition in a spirit of solidarity and equity.

With the €59 billion Just Transition Fund to tackle the social repercussions of the transition.

With a carbon border tax, so that foreign manufacturers that export their products to the EU will be subject to the same environmental requirements as our own European manufacturers.

With digital innovations playing an increasingly large role in our lives every day, it was Europe that first took the initiative to regulate this new space.

The EU took the lead in personal data protection, the moderation of online content, the fight against disinformation, the creation of a level playing field and the regulation of cryptocurrency exchanges. It blazed a trail for the rest of the world.

And Europe will champion the critical technologies of the future.

Some 40 hydrogen projects have been launched in Europe. Europe’s share of the global semiconductor market will have doubled by 2030, reaching 20%. Thanks to the European framework, France will export electric batteries by 2027, even though we were completely dependent on imports just 10 years earlier!

France and its neighbors are developing these capabilities, and they are what will guarantee our independence in the future.

For it is together as Europeans that we will preserve our ability to decide for ourselves.

Europe means solidarity, green jobs, protection and leverage in the face of change.

We are in the process of building the most ecological, digitally demanding continent, one that defends our human, democratic values throughout the world. Together, as one.

On this day that we celebrate our Union, I am sharing this message with you as a proud, convinced, steadfast European.

Long live our European Union!