To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Lisbon Treaty, David SASSOLI, EP President is hosting a ceremony in the House of European History, in Brussels on 1 December. He is joined by Ursula VON DER LEYEN, European Commission, Charles MICHEL, European Council, and Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), to mark the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. On the same day, a new chapter for Europe begins, as on 1 December the European Commission and its President Ursula VON DER LEYEN starts their mandate, as the new President of the European Council, Charles MICHEL. Extracts from the arrivals, family photo and visit of the House of the European History.

Brussels

ceremony

European Central Bank

Lisbon Treaty (T)

interinstitutional relations (T)

MICHEL, Charles (BE)

House of European History (T)

SASSOLI, David Maria (S&D, IT, S&D, IT)

LAGARDE, Christine (FR)

European Council

VON DER LEYEN, Ursula (DE, EC)

von der Leyen Commission (T)

Ceremony to mark the start of the European Commission and the 10th anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon: extracts from the ceremony

Title: Ceremony to mark the start of the European Commission and the 10th anniversary of the Treaty of Lisbon: extracts from the ceremony (I-181336)

SOUNDBITE (French), David SASSOLI, EP President, Today we are together for the first time the Presidents of the three institutions and of the European Central Bank to mark the inauguration of the new Commission and the Council. We meet here at the House of European History because it is the right place to relaunch the European shipyard. This project should encourage initiatives to make European democracy more modern and efficient and to develop new European policies.

SOUNDBITE (Italian), David SASSOLI, EP President, It was a fortunate coincidence that the day of this ceremony coincides with the 10th anniversary of the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty. This Treaty is a step forward towards European integration, but here I would like to highlight two aspects that are very important to me for the development of European citizenship: on the one hand, the incorporation into the Treaty of the Charter of Rights which gives it a binding legal value; and on the other hand, bringing citizens closer to decision-making in Europe through the civic initiative and strengthening the role of the European Parliament that represents them.

SOUNDBITE (French), David SASSOLI, EP President, It is now time to take action. Parliament is ready to work as one team with you to continue building Europe.

SOUNDBITE (French), David SASSOLI, EP President, From the fight against climate change to the fight against the rise in the cost of living, Europeans want to see real action. President Ursula Van der Leyen asked in Parliament last week our support for a new start for Europe.The fact that the four institutions are together here today symbolizes this new season.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, The Treaty gave the EU a new legal personality, allowing us to sign vital international agreements like the Paris Agreement. The treaty also gave democracy a new face strengthened transparency and opened the doors Brussels law making.

SOUNDBITE (English), Charles MICHEL, President of the European Council, Today we do more than look back. We celebrate a new beginning with great enthusiasm and hope because we are starting the next five years on solid ground. We are advancing our own ambitious European agenda.

SOUNDBITE (English), Ursula VON DER LEYEN, President of the EC, Ten years ago, our predecessors were still discussing whether Europe should have a flag on anthem. But in these 10 years, millions of people have taken to the streets waving the European flag. Our flag and millions have been inspired and moved by the Ode to Joy, the European anthem, our anthem. Our responsibility is to be a champion, to be a champion for our fellow Europeans with their dreams and their aspirations. Thank you so much.

SOUNDBITE (French), Christine LAGARDE, President of the European Central Bank, Me as President of the European Central Bank I look on those 10 passed years, which had been years of reparation, profound change, the crisis of sovereign debts, profound modifications in technology, climate change of which the International Community and the European Union is very much conscious about. It is a formidable challenge that is awaiting us. My hope as President of the European Central Bank and along side with my 3 colleagues, we will leave behind us this period of reparation which we have experienced these last years, towards a phase of renovation and hope.  