President calls for active, leading, more decisive EU without nationalism

Portugal’s president on Tuesday has called for an “active, leading, more determined and more decisive than ever” European Union that knows how to unite for peace and solidarity, “without illiberalism or nationalism”.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa left this message in a note published on the official website of the Presidency to celebrate Europe Day “and its unique project of unity and solidarity”.

“Today, more than ever, we must be able to find inspiration in those who, over the past seven decades, have dreamed of and aspired to a Europe united by peace, hope, well-being and a future of prosperity for all Europeans, but also one that is supportive and welcoming to those who seek us out and need our firm support,” he said.

Quoting Frenchwoman Simone Veil, the first woman president of the European Parliament, the head of state said: “The destiny of Europe and the future of the free world is entirely in our hands”.

“Europe and the millions of Europeans deserve us to believe in their future and in a pioneering Union – on climate, energy, digital, knowledge and so many other crucial areas – and above all acting, leading, more determined and decisive than ever before,” he appealed.

In the statement, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa reiterated Portugal’s commitment “to the founding principles and values” of the European Union, “human dignity, freedom, equality, democracy, the rule of law, respect for and promotion of human rights, pluralism, non-discrimination, tolerance and social justice”.

According to the president of the country, “forged in crises, as Jean Monnet predicted, Europe has been living under the spectre of cyclical emergency”, with the Covid-19 pandemic, the “clash of inflation” and “the emergence of the shock of war in Ukraine” caused by the Russian invasion of 24 February last year.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa added that the European Union has also faced “the emergence of nationalist alarm”, a “protectionist risk” and “the emergence of the danger of political and social closure”.

“At a time of uncertainty, unpredictability and crisis, it is of paramount importance to ensure that the major changes under way in the European Union, at its borders and in the wider world do not lead to an erosion of these common values. To this end, it is vital, without illiberalism or nationalism, to take care of our democracies, without which there is no European Union”, he considered.

According to the head of state, “Portugal has a role to play in all these challenges” facing the European Union.

“Their fulfilment will project our country, ensure the well-being of our people, and help Europe to overcome the phase of cyclical emergencies and enter the phase, so often postponed, of greater self-confidence shared between states and peoples,” he considered.