On Thusday, president Andrej Kiska gave a speech in Brussels at the festive concert opening the Slovak Presidency at the Council of the European Union:

“It’s a pleasure and great honor for me to stand here in this beautiful Centre of Fine Arts. And to have an opportunity to speak on behalf of Slovakia which just started to preside over the European Union last week. It has been quite a ride for us to get here from the life behind the Iron Curtain and painful transition, followed by the integration in the European Union.

We have been lucky to live through a period of good times, in which the very idea of free and united Europe has become somehow trivial and self-evident — until recently. Before we had enough time to refine how to live, respect each other and work together in the enlarged EU, we’ve been faced with unexpected challenges — financial crisis, euro crisis, refugees, old and new security and terrorist threats and the consequences of Brexit.

We can agree that the European Union and its member states have enough power and resources to overcome any imaginable difficulties. But we need to rebuild trust and our self-confidence. To demonstrate that we are able to live in this big family not only to celebrate milestones and achievements, but also to tackle mistakes and weaknesses. Because that’s what real life is and the European Union is not immune to the risk of complicated reality.

Slovakia has prepared a useful package of specific priorities for our presidency. But our ultimate priority, ambition and contribution which we offer to our partners in the EU is the service of an honest broker and emphatic moderator. We will do our best to tender the virtue of respecting each other, the ability not only to listen but to actually to hear each other. Since there is too much emotion and hurt feelings felt across the EU right now. We all should try to lead by an example and respond with more tact and a genuine empathy.

Ladies and gentlemen,

The European Union has been the single most important, the single most exciting idea in the history of Europe. It is still ultimately modern and progressive project, unthinkable in its today's shape even some fifty years ago. So I don’t think we need to change the foundations of the EU. There is nothing old-fashioned about the project of peace, democracy and dignified life for all people.

But winning back the hearts and minds of our people after recent turbulances is not a technocratic task. Rather, it's a question of our own attitude, enthusiasm, honesty and political leadership. Because we need to get people excited about our European project, to rediscover passion for the integration once again. That is the only reasonable way forward.

And let me finish with my personal story. My 11 years old daughter asked me couple days ago. “Daddy, we would not leave the Europe, would we?” And I answered. “No, we would not. At least, I will do my best we will not.” So, ladies and gentlemen, let's go. Let's work and fight for our Europe. For us and for our children.”