Hosting all staff members of the European Parliament in Luxembourg, the Konrad Adenauer building was officially inaugurated by the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. In her speech, President Metsola spoke about the environmental and technological aspects of the building.
© European Union | European Parliament President Roberta Metsola inaugurating the Konrad Adenauer building in Luxembourg
Your Royal Highness, Prime Minister, Ladies and gentlemen,
Luxembourg stands at the centre of European political action. In so doing, it demonstrates that the impact of a state depends not on its geographical or population size but on its political commitment. On its ideas.
From hosting the European Parliament’s first own hemicycle in 1973, through to paving the way to direct elections for the European Parliament... Luxembourg has always played a leading part in championing European integration and European democracy.
Luxembourg today continues to play a fundamental leading part in knowledge-sharing on integration and on compromise-finding within our European Union.
And Luxembourg’s immense contribution is also visible right here, from where we stand, at the heart of this remarkable Konrad Adenauer building complex. Right here is where the European Parliament has invested to provide 3.000 workstations spread, over a surface area which is roughly the equivalent of 33 times the surface area of the newly inaugurated football stadium le Stade du Luxembourg, a few miles South of here.
But let me tell you more about our Konrad Adenauer project which we proudly inaugurate with you today. The building was conceived and constructed abiding to highest environmental standards.
The new Adenauer complex was built deploying cutting-edge technologies. It processes and re-uses rainwater. It avails of geothermal energy, as well as solar energy. It is equipped with solar and photovoltaic panels for energy production. Heat-and-cold recovery-and-storage systems were integrated in its infrastructure. And further environmentally-friendly measures were implemented throughout the building, including triple glazing, free-cooling, active concrete slabs and absorption chillers.
All of this technology drastically reduced the carbon footprint of building office spaces.
This year we mark 70 years since the European Coal and Steel Community established its initial institutions here in Luxembourg.
However, while we build and construct at the heart of Europe, on 24th of February a vicious war was launched on our continent.
The illegal and brutal invasion of the Russian military of Ukraine has accelerated the need for Europe to build tools and processes to lead in a new and uncertain world. The weight of a global democratic order rests more heavily than ever on our shoulders.
The European Union has responded forcefully with sanctions on Russia and with political, financial, humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine and its people. Europe has shown the world unprecedented coordination, solidarity and unity against war. Of this, I am proud. It must remain the blueprint for us going forward. We will continue to stand forcefully against autocracy and continue to stand strongly for Ukraine and for our common values.
The European project has been constructed on the values of reconciliation, peace and democracy. This year we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the European Parliament, making the inauguration of this new Adenauer Building all the more symbolic.
That anniversary and this inauguration remind us of the strength and vitality of our project. And of its permanence.
But without our fellow citizens, that project is nothing. Without our fellow citizens, our Assembly is nothing. We derive our legitimacy and our strength from the people of Europe.
So I would say to them that we aim to live up to the trust they have placed in us.
I also want to particularly thank them for the generosity they have shown to Ukrainians forced to flee their country in recent months.
European citizens - in Luxembourg included - are opening their homes and their hearts to millions of displaced Ukrainians. Never before, has the European Union been more united in the face of adversity.
I would also like to especially thank the staff of the European Parliament here in Luxembourg. You make up more than 20% of our institution’s employment. I am proud to have you here today. Your work matters. It allows this House of European democracy to stand up tall, as it is doing in the face of aggression.
Together, we stand up for European fundamental rights of democracy, freedom, solidarity, equality and the rule of law. I am grateful for your work in participating in this task, today and every day.
And thank you to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, for supporting us in fulfilling our collective democratic mission here.
Villmols merci.