"Europe has shown that it knows how to face the most difficult challenges and crises, emerging stronger and more cohesive. The reasons for the European founding pact are more current than ever".
This was stated
by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella
in a message sent to The State of the Union conference, underlining that "today, more than ever, it is necessary to continue the construction of Europe, with courage. In moments of greatest difficulty, renewal is essential and decisive ".
"The Union is once again facing global emergencies of epochal significance - explains the head of state -, pandemic, dramatic consequences of climate change, uncontrolled migratory flows, the unjustifiable aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine and its devastating humanitarian consequences, geopolitical and economic challenges that have offered and still require unity, solidarity and a joint effort to defend the values without which the Union would have no reason to exist: the rule of law, fundamental freedoms, democracy".
And according to the President of the Republic, a lesson can be drawn from history: "Europe has shown - recalls Mattarella - that it knows how to face the most difficult challenges and crises, emerging from them stronger and more cohesive. The reasons for the European founding pact are more than ever present".
"Europe, in the most uncertain and disheartening moment of its history, knew how to make the improbable possible. The peoples of Europe, at the end of a bloody and fratricidal war, united by deciding to build their own future together, laying the foundations for lasting peace".
And "since then - underlines the President of the Republic - a common European path has been launched which, not without difficulties, contradictions and even failures, continues along its trajectory, representing a successful experience".
