Konferenz erweiterte Präsidentschaft Europäischer Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschuss (EWSA) am 28. Oktober 2014, 08:30 Uhr, Rathaus, Turmsaal

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1 Seite 1 von 7 Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg Behörde für Wissenschaft und Forschung Zweite Bürgermeisterin Konferenz erweiterte Präsidentschaft Europäischer Wirtschafts- und Sozialausschuss (EWSA) am 28. Oktober 2014, 08:30 Uhr, Rathaus, Turmsaal Es gilt das gesprochene Wort. Mr Malosse, Mr Wilms, Welcome to Hamburg to the city about which John Lennon once said, I was born in Liverpool, but raised in Hamburg.

2 Seite 2 von 7 to the city where everyone knows what the radio announcer means by, The Queen Mary s coming. to the city where ten per cent of the residents 171,162 out of close to 1.7 million, to be precise come from other countries in Europe; by the way, the largest group is not from England, but from Poland. And it is a city whose port and trading activities have bound it intimately with Europe and the rest of the world since medieval times. We look firmly to Europe, because the European Union has an immense impact on Hamburg in terms of social and economic policies and of environmental and academic issues. Therefore it is my great pleasure and privilege to welcome the members of the European Economic and

3 Social Committee on this visit to our Town Hall in Hamburg. Seite 3 von 7 As representatives of the interests of civil society in Brussels, you have an important bridging function between the institutions of the European Union and the organizations that civil society brings forth to address all aspects of citizens lives. In our increasingly complex world, your opinions and expertise are particularly valuable during the process of formulating EU legislation. It is true when people say, There s never been so much Europe! But having more Europe than ever also means more responsibility for all those who make decisions in and for Europe. Economic development is of key importance, but, especially in view of the situation in Southern Europe, it has become clear that politicians must not lose sight

4 Seite 4 von 7 of the social consequences of their actions if people are to remain supportive of Europe. Youth unemployment in the southern and eastern member states is, in my view, one of the most pressing problems at European level, and one which is, moreover, potentially highly explosive in social and political terms. You, the members of the European Economic and Social Committee and we, the politicians who meet regularly in Hamburg Town Hall, accept this economic and social responsibility. That is something we have in common. During Sunday s trip round the harbour you saw something of the second-biggest container port in Europe, and seventh-biggest in the world. It is the pulsating heart of the entire metropolitan region and its economy. Our port is 120 kilometres upstream, and that is its big asset: It means that the port has excellent

5 onward transport links, above all with northern and eastern Europe. Seite 5 von 7 Goods en route to or from the Baltic region account for a quarter of all cargo handled in the port. Hamburg Port is a major European trade hub. But Hamburg is also Germany s biggest centre of civil aviation and is tightly integrated with Europe thanks to Airbus. Hamburg is northern Europe s wind power capital and a metropolis of learning. Research facilities in Hamburg receive EU grants of around 240 million euros - money that is well spent: carefully targeted support for academic institutions is enabling us to turn Hamburg into one of Europe s centres of innovation. But we never lose sight of social concerns. Our thinking is that economic and social development belong together as practised in our ambitious

6 Seite 6 von 7 programme to build affordable housing in Hamburg that has been very successful so far. The Senate has also abolished university fees for students studying in Hamburg. Our vocational advisory agencies for young people are there to ensure that every school-leaver is shown what his or her next step might be by the way this project is co-funded by the European Social Fund, as are many other projects designed to improve employment prospects, education and integration. Just as the European Economic and Social Committee does, we in Hamburg are strongly promoting renewable energies and smart transport systems that conserve resources. I have read that you will be holding a conference in November to discuss Smart Cities this is a concept we are very keen to take forward in Hamburg too.

7 Seite 7 von 7 Ladies and Gentlemen, Hamburg s success cannot be separated from international cooperation and European unity. Therefore it is an honour for Hamburg that the European Economic and Social Committee has chosen our city as conference venue. You and we wish to make the EU a meaningful experience for our citizens. You and we want their interests to be heard in Brussels and Strasbourg. I hope you will enjoy your stay in this beautiful city and that you will return home from Hamburg and North Germany with some stimulating, interesting ideas for the work ahead. Thank you very much.