Illy: Hold on to the Vision of a United Europe!
60th Anniversary of Winston Churchill's Zurich speech

Strasbourg.  'Because of the political crisis into which the European Union has fallen since the breakdown of the ratification process of the European Constitutional Treaty, citizens of Europe need a clear sign from politics. We want and we need the European Union for peace, security and prosperity. We do not need less Europe, but more. We do not need less integration, but more. Not just a few states, but rather the whole European family should be able to participate in a united Europe', Riccardo Illy, President of the Assembly of European Regions and President of the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia stated, at the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Winston Churchill's speech, which was delivered by the former ritish Prime Minister to the academic youth on 19th September 1946.

President Illy acknowledged the crucial role of Winston Churchill's visionary speech laying the basis for a "regional European organization" and a 'United States of Europe', with France and Germany at the core. The AER President stressed that "The younger generations must be reminded that European institutions have been the bulwark first of all of peace" and that today we had to "understand the long and extraordinary journey the European ideal has made since the end of the Second World War."

President Illy criticized the European Constitution for being "a feeble document, lacking in courage", and that "in order to overcome the current standstill in the European construction process the European citizens need a new, ambitious goal (...) a Confederation of States that is able to express strong leadership and efficient government, with a foreign and defence policy to face internal and external threats." He highlighted the crucial role of the Regions in "boosting the European process", and stressed that "the challenges that lie ahead for Europe can be met only by thinking globally and acting locally."

The AER President stressed the importance of enlargement of the European Union to the Countries of South-Eastern Europe and underlined that "Courage in welcoming Turkey into the Union" would be necessary and that Turkey by its "geographical position and cultural sensitivity (...) could build a bridge towards moderate Islam and the whole area of the Mediterranean basin."

'Let Europe arise!' These were Churchill's final words in Zurich. Courage, vision, and leadership are the elements that Europe needs today to win back the support of its citizens and resume its journey,' proclaimed President Illy.

 
President Illy's full statement

Winston Churchill's speech can be found here: www.europa-web.de/europa/02wwswww/202histo/churchil.htm (photos included)

^{The Assembly of European Regions/AER is the political organisation of the Regions in Europe and their spokesperson at European and international level. Its vocation is to defend the Regions' interests in the political process and develop interregional cooperation. The AER brings together 255 Regions from 30 European Countries and 14 interregional organisations.}

^{AER Contacts: Klaus Klipp, Secretary General, k.klipp@a-e-r.org, Francine Huhardeaux, Press and Communications, f.huhardeaux@a-e-r.org or Stephanie von Hayek, s.vonhayek@a-e-r.org Tel: +33-3-88 22 74 49/46}