Dear Marianne,
Dear representatives of Economic and Social partners,
We are all here today to jointly sign the European partnership on integration.
This is an important event, and I wish to thank Marianne for the excellent cooperation that we have on this important issue.
You know as well as I do, that it is not easy to talk about integration these days.
When all the focus goes to either investing in keeping people out, in closing borders, or in deconstructing the meaning of solidarity, the discussion about integration seems like unnecessary, or a luxury.
But thinking like this is a mistake, and we cannot afford to make it – not again.
In this room we are all convinced that investing in integration is crucial for the future of Europe.
Our biggest task is now to convince others of this priority too!
Migration will be one of the defining features of the 21st century, not just for Europe but for the world.
Integration of all migrants, not only refugees, is essential to the cohesion of our societies.
On top of that, our ageing continent will also need talent from abroad.
If we want to make legal migration and integration work, particularly for the labour market, we need to make sure all stakeholders are on board, including those who are politically in charge.
Today is such a milestone in bringing forward a truly multi-stakeholder approach on labour market integration.
I see today’s signature as the start of our strengthened cooperation; not the end of a process.
I consider the dialogue we started at the EU level with this partnership as a model from which all Member States should take inspiration when implementing national integration policies.
I told you the last time we met that I wanted to create a snowball effect in both attitude and actions.
This is exactly what we are aiming at with this partnership.
Dear all,
Immigrant integration is the most underestimated challenge we have in front of us in Europe.
I count on you and you can count on us. I now pass the floor to Marianne.
Thank you.