Remarks by Commissioner Urpilainen at Slovakian Europe Day event with Trade Union Confederations

Slovakian Europe Day event with Trade Union Confederations

Distinguished Guests,

It is an honour to greet you during my visit to Bratislava as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Slovakia's accession to the European Union.

The world has changed so much over the past two decades.

Digitalisation has transformed how we live and work.

Demographic change and globalisation have reshaped our societies and economies.

Climate change continues to pick up pace, and we see a steady geopolitical shift.

Throughout, the European Union has upheld its commitment to shaping a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable future.

Through partnership, we are making a difference for communities and citizens in Slovakia.

For instance, together we are strengthening the Slovak labour market.

EU funding supports business opportunities for employers while also ensuring employee protection. We also support active labour market policies.

And with your help, we can keep social rights at the heart of both national and EU political agendas.

We can promote a Europe that cares, prepares, and protects.

This is also at the heart of my work as Commissioner for International Partnerships.

In today's interconnected world, it is not enough to promote universal values at home. We must also promote them abroad.

Since the start of my mandate, reducing inequalities has been my overarching priority.

And it is the compass behind Global Gateway, the EU's strategy to mobilise €300 billion in sustainable and high-quality partnerships around the world.

From Africa to South America to Asia, Global Gateway is delivering on all 17 sustainable development goals by investing in projects that truly make a difference for the people and the planet.

We have a 360 degrees approach so that we invest in hard infrastructure but also soft infrastructure such as social protection and technical and vocational education and training.

We put human development at the heart of our offer to advance an ambitious social, democratic, and environmental agenda around the world – and this is our added value compared to other offers.

Dear Friends,

The pandemic reminded us all that in today's world, there are no borders.

More than ever, we need to work together.

During this critical election year, let's reaffirm our commitment to partnership.

Together, we can build more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future for all.