25 March 2007

Fifty years ago today, in Rome, the visionary idea of a unified Europe truly started to become a reality. Since then, this vision has fundamentally transformed the European continent. Where, before, a cycle of destructive wars was deeply entrenched, now peace and prosperity have become the rule. A unique pole of stability and democracy has emerged, based on respect for national identities, and on reconciliation, freedom and solidarity. The EU has also emerged as a global actor in its own right. We Europeans are rightly proud of this.

On this important day for Europe, and indeed, for Belarus, I would like to emphasize these significant achievements of the European Union, which are inextricably based on the deep-rooted values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, and to reiterate to the people of Belarus that the European Union is ready to enter into a full partnership with Belarus on the basis of these values and towards these goals. I hope that we will soon see a willingness to move in this direction. Such a partnership would mean that the European Union's assistance to Belarus could be significantly increased and would thus help improve the quality of life of Belarusians.

I am confident that the people of Belarus sees this outstretched hand as an opportunity to choose a democratic future, and I very much hope that the government of Belarus will reciprocate, beginning the reforms their people need and ending their self-imposed isolation.

I look forward to the day when Belarus takes its rightful place in a European family that shares the values of democracy, respect for human rights and the rule of law, and that yearns for longlasting shared peace and prosperity.