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Vision for Europe Award 1998

Dinner Speech

By Robert Douglass, Chairman of Cedel International, on 19 October 1998

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen, Excellencies and distinguished Guests, I am Robert Douglass, Chairman of Cedel International and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Jean-Claude Juncker, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, who is the recipient of this year's ‘Vision for Europe’ award.

Jean-Claude Juncker is a straight-forward Luxembourger and true European. In my country, we would describe him as a 'no-nonsense guy with lots of common sense and charm'. Despite his young age, he has already made a significant contribution to European integration and the creation of the ‘United States of Europe’. At the same time, he has brought great distinction and honour to his home country, Luxembourg.

This reminded me of the parallels in my own country where our founding Fathers were also very young men with truly visionary ideas.

  • Thomas Jefferson - who dreamed of a continental country that would stretch from the Atlantic to the Pacific;

  • Alexander Hamilton - who saw the need for a truly national banking system; and

  • Samuel Adams - our first diplomat who recognised the importance of friendly allies;

I am confident that when historians look back at today's period, leaders like Jean-Claude Juncker, Jacques Santer, Pierre Werner, Gaston Thom and others in this room, will occupy similar roles of honour for their work in creating a United Europe.

I share Jean-Claude's belief that the 21st century may well be the 'Century of Europe'. I only hope that he will reserve at least a small supporting role for his struggling admirers in the United States.

The way this world of ours is going we will need each other more than even before.

As Chairman of Cedel International, I am delighted that the 'Vision for Europe Award' ceremony of the Edmond Israel Foundation has become such an important event in Luxembourg, the home of Cedel International.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Edmond Israel, the founding Chairman and now the Honorary Chairman of Cedel International. He has been a great supporter and a driving force behind the Foundation.

A big 'Thank you' goes as well to André Lussi, the President and CEO of Cedel International and the Chairman of the Foundation. André is committed to further develop the activities of the Foundation which is dedicated to 'the research and development and the promotion of ideas of cultural, scientific, political and economic importance in the context of Europe'.

And finally, I am pleased that a young student, Max Conzémius, presented his vision for Europe: - a union of nations, regions and individuals in the pursuit of peace and freedom based on mutual understanding and tolerance. This is a vision truly worth pursuing!

 
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