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18 November 1999
Dr Willem F. Duisenberg accepts the 'Vision for Europe' Award from the Edmond Israel Foundation
The Edmond Israel Foundation hosted a conference on Europe on the 11 November 1999 attended by high-level government officials, ambassadors and senior executives. Dr. Willem F. Duisenberg, President of the European Central Bank, accepted the Edmond Israel Foundation - 'Vision for Europe Award', a sculpture by Mr Lucien Wercollier.
In the presence of Dr Theodor Waigel, former Federal Minister of Finance of Germany, Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, Sir Brian Unwin, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the European Investment Bank, Mr André Lussi, Chairman of the Edmond Israel Foundation and President and CEO of Cedel International, provided an insight to the new world economy which is knowledge-based and Internet-enabled and which is the impetus behind the European consolidation reflected in Cedel International's vision for a European Clearing House.
In paying tribute to this year's recipient, André Lussi stated: Dr Willem Duisenberg has played a major role in the introduction of the euro and its continued success. Personally I am both impressed and thankful for the introduction of the single European currency. Impressed because in this complex world in which we live, the undertaking of such a massive project is by no means an easy task. Thankful because the euro has paved the way for the exciting journey that my own company, Cedel International, is currently making.
Dr Duisenberg stressed his conviction that the European Union would expand to include its neighbours from Eastern Europe and that this inclusion would also mean monetary union as soon as possible following their membership. He went on to say that this enlargement will require "sometimes difficult adjustments" both in the EU and in the applicant countries.
Dr Theodor Waigel M.P., a prime supporter of the euro, talked about political issues relating to monetary union and Sir Brian Unwin, presented a speech about the European Investment Bank's support of monetary union.
The conference included addresses by Edmond Israel presenting his own vision for Europe's future and by Tajana Tomasic, one of the winners of the INSEAD MBA Scholarship, a programme sponsored by the Edmond Israel Foundation.
For further information, please contact:
David Cowan or Yolande Theis
Cedel International, Luxembourg
Tel: +352 45 11 03 20
Fax: +352 45 11 08 226
Email: yolande.theis@cedelinternational.com
David Hardy or Paul Vann
Binns & Co Public Relations Limited, London
Tel: +44 171 786 9600
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Note to Editors
The Edmond Israel Foundation was created by Cedel International on 19 September 1990 in honour of Edmond Israel, upon his retirement after twenty years as Chairman of Cedel International's Board of Directors.
The Foundation is a non-profit making organisation dedicated to the research and promotion of ideas of cultural, scientific, political and economic importance in the context of Europe. Its aim is to work both within the framework of a changing Europe and to advance European thinking elsewhere in the world, thereby making a high quality contribution to the ongoing debates of our times and exploring themes of freedom, social responsibility and cultural identity. It aims to support and promote research and study and provide financial assistance and scholarship to promising individuals. Apart from commissioning studies, such as The Proposed Directive on Harmonisation of Taxation of Interest Payments published in January 1999, the Foundation presents the 'Vision for Europe' award annually in recognition of outstanding achievement and contribution to Europe. The 1998 recipient was HE Mr Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg and previous recipients were HE Mr Helmut Kohl, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, HE Mr Jean-Luc Dehaene, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium and HE Mr Jacques Santer, former President of the European Commission, the first recipient of the award.