Today’s meeting marks the 25th anniversary from our very first Eurogroup meeting, which was also held here in Luxembourg on June 4, 1998. If I look back at what has unfolded since our last milestone – our 20th anniversary in 2018 – the scale of the challenges that have confronted us in the intervening period has been unprecedented. We have taken extraordinary actions to support our citizens amid a global pandemic; an energy crisis; and, tragically, a war in Europe. Yet one element has remained constant – the centrality of the euro as our guiding star for stability; for security; and for prosperity. The achievement of the euro remains, for me, one of the most fundamental rocks of European integration. It is one of those tangible symbols in our shared history. It reflects our common European identity. It is a symbol of unity, solidarity and resilience. And we recognise that the euro continues to hold its appeal. As recently as this year, we welcomed Croatia as our 20th member. In the current uncertain environment, this meant a lot to all of us, and it further reinforced the strength of our monetary union. From my own perspective, it continues to be a tremendous honour and privilege to serve as President of the Eurogroup. As policy makers gathered in this forum, we have made some great decisions, but also learned some lessons along the way. We have proven our mettle in times of crisis – none more so than during our coordinated efforts to tackle the pandemic. Our policies and our actions worked, with millions of lives and livelihoods protected. We provided certainty during a time marked by uncertainty. Looking to the future, I am deeply encouraged by the engagement I have heard from you all in terms of how this forum can make a positive contribution to advancing our shared ambitions. We are right to have confidence in our collective strength. Let’s not forget that our economies have continued to outpace expectations – again last year with growth surprising on the upside, despite the challenges posed by the war and high inflation. We have established new horizons and new opportunities for progress as we embrace the twin transitions. Each of us recognise that building our shared economic future is a work in progress - from completing Banking Union, to our work on deepening our capital markets; to economic governance, to securing the digital future of the euro. But I am reassured in that I recognise in each one of you, your countries, your work and your institutions – the centrality of our collective action that defines the European project. In that sense, Eurogroup embodies so much of what Europe means. The collegiate spirit we have built up works, and it works well. I am reminded of the words of the great statesman Alcide De Gasperi speaking on European integration in the 1950s – well before the advent of the euro. He spoke of the need for political leadership; for common aims to be defined and underwritten. His words are in some respect prescient in foreshadowing our work in the Eurogroup. If I can paraphrase De Gasperi, he said: ‘If we do no more than set up common administrations, without any higher political will, there will be a danger that this European activity might even seem, at times, to be mere superfluous and burdensome trappings.’ His remedy? He went on to say: ‘That is why, despite our clear awareness of the need to build this construction by gradual stages, our action must always be such that the goal remains clear, definite, and agreed.’ Sound advice to us all. As we reflect on the challenges we have overcome, and we look to those to come, I would encourage us all to reflect sincerely on those words. As I look around the room today, I am reminded of the courageous leaders that built our single currency. The mission before us all is to resolve to continue to carry it forward. Videos and photos of the event | 
