under the high Patronage Westdeutscher Rundfunk Invitation WDR Europaforum 2019 | 23 May 2019 | Federal Foreign Office Berlin of the European Parliament Südwestrundfunk Norddeutscher Rundfunk Österreichischer Rundfunk phoenix Europäische Kommission Europäisches Parlament mauritius images/Ivan Smuk/Alamy Projekt management © Michael Radix WDR Chief editorial office Television Annika Rasch SHAPING EUROPE TOGETHER CIVIS Medienstiftung Editor Westdeutscher Rundfunk Köln TIME FOR A NEW EUROPEAN CONFIDENCE registration.europa-forum.wdr.de May 2019 europa Design forum www.vierviertel.com Shaping Europe together Time for a new European confidence Dear Sir or Madam! 23 May 2019 – three days before the European elections in Germany. multilateralism”. Relationships with the USA, Russia and China must be documentary channel phoenix, together with the European Commis- The election to the European Parliament 2019 is one of the most important Euro, migration, security, defence, globalisation, populism and the ex- realigned. Competitiveness, industrial policy, youth unemployment and sion, the European Parliament and the Foreign Office of the Federal elections in Europe. The balance of power in the European Parliament may pected exit from the EU of the United Kingdom are among the challenges other pioneering issues for Europe’s future are urgent. An active Europe Republic of Germany, which shall host the event on its premises in shift as a result of the strengthening of nationalist parties. Eurosceptic move- currently facing the European Union. What kind of Europe do we want, with the capability to act is required now more than ever. Berlin. ments are endangering cohesion in Europe. Is Europe at a turning point? how should it look, and how far do we in the EU want to go together? It is time for a new European confidence – time to shape Europe together. Just before the European elections in Germany on 26 May, a topical The 22nd International WDR Europaforum addresses new topics in the Europe-political forum for television, radio and the internet is being European debate on the future, and will hold a one-day conference with France is advocating the new foundation of a “confident Europe”, held by Westdeutscher Rundfunk, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Südwest- We hope that we can welcome you once again this year as a guest. top European politicians at the German Foreign Office in Berlin on with a European Union that, according the German ideal, “strengthens rundfunk, Österreichischer Rundfunk and the ARD/ZDF event and /Sachs /Krüger ndr ndr /Ramstorfer © /Rafael Krötz /Rafael © in Deutschland orf swr © © © Europäisches Parlament © Europäisches © Europäische Kommission Kommission © Europäische Tom Buhrow Lutz Marmor Peter Boudgoust Alexander Wrabetz Richard Nikolaus Kuehnel Frank Piplat Westdeutscher Rundfunk Norddeutscher Rundfunk Südwestrundfunk Österreichischer Rundfunk European Commission European Parliament Representation in Germany Information Office in Germany Word of Greeting © Reuters/Kessler What do you have planned on 26 May 2019? – If you did not automatically lived in Europe, we Europeans will make up only 4 percent by 2060. As the president of the EU Commission, I will work until the very last day I wish you many fruitful debates at the WDR Europaforum 2019. remember that you are planning to vote in the European elections on Our share in the global economy will shift from 23 percent to around of my tenure to ensure that Europe takes control of its own future: as a Please remind the audience that they have the chance on Sunday Sunday, 26 May, then hopefully the intensive debates at the WDR Europa- 15 percent. In 20 years, not a single European country will have a seat frontrunner in climate protection, as a defence union with European to help shape the future of Europe. forum will inspire you to do so. After all, the European elections will be at the G7 table – not even Germany. Any further questions? values, as an economic community with social responsibility. And as a decisive for the future of Europe, and thus also for Europe’s ability to union that has the courage to take majority rather than unanimous deci- act on the global political stage. Therefore, all those who tell us that we should fragment once again into sions when it comes to foreign policy. If we Europeans wish to help our own individual parts, and solve our problems as national states, are shape the world as architects, instead of sitting on the backbenches, Europe is the smallest continent. We must bear this fact in mind when hugely mistaken. All hose who ask themselves whether there is still a we must speak with one voice. we consider our European confidence in the world. We are even getting raison d‘être for Europe in the 21st century, should already know the smaller: Whereas in 1900 around a quarter of the world’s population answer. Disinformation, migration, security and climate change are Jean-Claude Juncker challenges that rarely stop at borders. They are challenges for which President of the European Commission we as European can find joint solutions. under the high Patronage Word of Greeting of the European Parliament © Europäisches Parlament © Europäisches Europe needs formats like the WDR Europaforum Let’s talk about Europe’s future! In particular, the European Parliament has taken on the issues of environ- who have similar wishes and thoughts and who are willing to advocate For this reason, I appeal to you directly: The 22nd WDR Europaforum calls on us to shape Europe together. mental and climate protection, and it has passed resolutions to counter the European Union project. All across the EU, many thousands of people Each and every one of us has the opportunity to shape Europe. Talk to Precisely that is why it is important to participate in this year’s European the exploitation of nature. The strengthening of the digital single market have now come together to express their voting intentions. They meet reg- people in your networks, express your opinions, and be open to dialogue, elections. With your vote you can determine the direction our common has also made the EU globally competitive, while promoting consumer ularly in groups, discuss how the EU in which they live should look, and so that the European Union can develop further. With the election that project should take. protection. The protection of its external borders makes the European Union how they can get information about the upcoming elections. That which is takes place in Germany on 26 May, we can steer our common future in a place in which EU citizens can feel safe. We all have a responsibility to important to the citizens is precisely what must be addressed a new direction. Now is your chance to show clearly that we see the Europe needs formats like the WDR Europaforum in order to demonstrate continue showing our commitment and demonstrating what the idea of by the European Parliament. European Union as a community that unites us all. that the European Union is sustained by citizens who pursue common the European Union stands for. European elections will be held throughout goals. Their engagement ensures not only that open borders are created, the European Union from 23 to 26 May 2019. This presents a further Making the Parliament the central focus of the EU means placing the but also a community that can prevail in international competition. opportunity to pave the way for the EU to ensure that Europe can remain main focus on Europeans. If we all follow common goals, we can create a a continent of peace, freedom and stability. unity that is decisive in important areas such as the economy, research, or Despite the constantly increasing legislative competences of the Euro- defence. Antonio Tajani pean Parliament, voter turnout has been somewhat disappointing in the The institution of the European Parliament has started an information President of the European Parliament past. My hope is that this will change in 2019. In recent years, the European campaign “thistimeimvoting.eu”. It aims to connect people throughout Union has shown the world what this alliance of states is capable of. the whole of the European Union, since there are citizens in all countries Word of Greeting under the Patronage © Auswärtiges Amt of the Federal Foreign Office Europe is faced with a fundamental decision: What kind of Europe do we want? On 23 May 2019 the first member states of the European Union will start This Europe, in which we live in peace, freedom and wealth, to which we The theme of the Europaforum is “Shaping Europe Together – Time At the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that our values must constantly voting in the European Parliament elections. Three days later, they will have become so accustomed, where younger people have never known for a new European confidence”. One year ago, during my speech on be defended and asserted, also in Europe. We must advance Europe cast their votes for their preferred candidates in Germany. anything different, should not be taken for granted. It is painfully clear “#EuropeUnited”, I expressed my wish for such confidence, and a resolutely if we wish to preserve it. Confidence must not be allowed to us all: European integration can also be rolled back. “European patriotism” based on our values. We all have good reason to lead to complacency – so let us use the day for exciting discussions! The elections to the European Parliament are a central symbol of Europe- for this. an democracy. More than 300 million eligible voters can choose their par- Therefore I appeal to you: As a committed European, please use your liamentary representatives in free, secret and above all direct elections. chance to codetermine Europe’s future! There is such a thing as the “European Way of Life”. We Europeans can But this time it is about much more than that.