It is a great honour and a pleasure to be here with you today. I would like to direct my first words to my friend Charles Michel. Cher Charles, Je tiens à te remercier : tes efforts infatigables, ton profond engagement pour l’Europe, ont été indispensables pour construire l’unité européenne en des temps très difficiles. Pendant ta présidence du Conseil européen, à plusieurs moments cruciaux, tu nous as rassemblés pour faire face à des défis que beaucoup jugeaient insurmontables: face à une pandémie, face au choc économique qui a suivi, face à l’agression militaire russe. Cher Charles, tu nous as guidés pour faire face à ces défis, et en nous rappelant toujours le pouvoir, et la nécessité, de l'unité européenne. Merci - l’Europe te doit beaucoup. I have been mayor of Lisbon. And proud to serve my city. I have been Prime Minister of Portugal. And proud to serve my country. I now take office as President of the European Council. And I am proud to serve the European Union. Lisbon is my city. Portugal is my country. And Europe is our common home. There is no contradiction between these three levels. Nowadays, in this globalised world the only way to be truly patriotic, to ensure sovereignty, is to build a common Europe. Because only together, can we stand up for security, stability, and peace on our continent. Only together can we achieve share prosperity, economic growth, and the climate transition. Only together can we make the voice of Europe heard on the international scene. So, unity is the lifeblood of the European Union. But we should not ignore our differences of opinion, nor treat them as a problem. We have 27 different histories and cultures, and we look at the world from different geographic locations. That diversity is perfectly natural. It enriches us. And we can, in fact, harness it. It is Europe’s strength. The truth is that Europe’s unity in diversity is remarkable. And rooted in the strength of our common, steadfast will. As President of the European Council, I will make it my mission every day to build this unity and cherish our natural diversity. What is Europe about? Europe is about values, about peace and about prosperity. Values are the bedrock on which we have built everything else. They are inscribed in our Treaties, right at the top. They set high standards for all of us, institutions, and citizens alike. Human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, Rule of law, Human rights, including the protection of minorities. These values and principles are the very essence of Europe and our way of life. And they must be defended. That is the main lesson of Europe’s dark past of dictatorship and war. Thirty-three months - one thousand and ten days into Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, we are all yearning for peace. Especially the embattled and heroic Ukrainian people. But peace cannot mean the peace of a graveyard. Peace cannot mean capitulation. Peace must not reward the aggressor. Peace in Ukraine must be just; it must be lasting and it must be based on international law. This war is on European soil, but at stake are the universal principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter: peoples’ right to self-determination, nations’ right to choose their own future, and respect for territorial integrity and state borders. And so we must write a new chapter of the European Union as a peace project. By becoming stronger, more efficient, more resilient, and yes, more autonomous in security and defence. Always working for a strong transatlantic partnership. Enlargement to the Western Balkans and our Eastern neighbours is a powerful tool for peace, security, and prosperity – and a geopolitical imperative. Both the European Union and the candidate countries need to work harder and faster – without artificial timelines, but also without undue obstacles. We live in a multipolar world with seven different continents and one-hundred-and-ninety-three countries. We need to engage them by weaving together a global network. In doing so, we should abandon concepts such as “Global South” or “Global North”. The European Union’s external action must acknowledge that both the South and the North are, in fact, plural. That also means that the European Union must be a partner for a global, multilateral, sustainable and peaceful future. For a new global governance, and a new global financial architecture. Championing global causes like fighting poverty, climate change, and preserving the health of our Oceans. Finally, Europe is about prosperity. The European Union has always been anchored in a promise of shared prosperity for its citizens. That is what we must deliver. The reports of Enrico Letta and Mario Draghi are a call to action, and the Budapest Declaration identifies priorities. As we move forward, it is up to us, the institutions and the Member States, to take decisions. We need to complete the Single Market, cut bureaucracy, invest in skills, and innovation, and turn challenges like those in defence and energy into opportunities to boost competitiveness. Having spoken to European leaders as I visited them over the last few weeks, I feel confident. Because of their sense of urgency, and, above all, because of their general focus on collective action inspired by creativity and guided by pragmatism. To conclude, the glue that must bind us together in defending our values, in building peace and in achieving prosperity - is trust. We need to renew that link with citizens. By working closely with the social partners, our regions, our cities, and the representatives of civil society. Because we must demonstrate that we effectively address people’s worries. From the housing crisis to better management of migration. From ageing to climate change. From energy cost to better jobs. Preserving and reinforcing the European Union’s legacy is teamwork. This is why I would particularly like to thank you, my dear Ursula (von der Leyen), for joining me here today. And also Madam Vice-President of the European Parliament. We represent different institutions, but only together we are the European Union. Together, with the Member States, with European citizens, with all of you here today – we are Team Europe. And to my colleagues in the General Secretariat of the Council I say: I am one of you. I can count on you, and you can count on me. Standing for our values, strengthening our European projects of peace and prosperity, and building citizens’ trust – this is the agenda ahead. Let's get to work! | 
