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Mitterrand, Let us stress the importance of multilingualism

Em. Macron, Rediscovering the Path to Europe

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The monetary tensions which we have witnessed in the past - and which, at least as far as the last few weeks are concerned, we are witnessing today - make clear the need to advance as quickly as possible towards the introduction of a single currency. I know that this is still the subject of discussion, that not everyone has been convinced. In any event, I wish to convey to you my personal conviction - which, I believe, is shared by the majority of people in authority in France; the introduction of a single currency is the only means of ensuring that Europe remains a great economic and monetary power, and it is the best means of ensuring the sustained growth of our economies.

(Applause)

While I realise that others have expressed a different opinion - but then I have come to this House to state my own views, and those of France - I believe that it is essential,- though I am conscious of the difficulties, and what is even perhaps the somewhat illusory nature of this goal, given the attitude of many people - that we respect the timetable which has been laid down and ensure that we are able to introduce a single currency from 1997 onwards.

(Applause)

Of course, because we have given ourselves a certain amount of latitude 1997, 1999 and, privately, there is even talk of waiting until the beginning of the next century - there will be a temptation to opt for the easiest solution; a solution which will complicate matters by prolonging them ....

Our third major asset is the European Union's technological excellence. Our research scientists have been responsible for countless innovations. Such capital cannot fail to yield a profit if we prove capable of utilising it properly, and on a European scale. I shall not dwell on this point, but I am sure that the extraordinary number of technological, scientific, inventive and innovative successes which Europe has achieved since the second half of the nineteenth century will come to mind - whilst not forgetting, of course, those elsewhere in the world who have contributed to the general progress .... Since the very beginnings of the European Community, I, like many of you in the House today, have defended the idea that we must build a social Europe. The European Social Fund, the European social area, the Social Charter, the agreement on social policy annexed to the Treaty on European Union, taking social criteria into account in implementing Community preference - all these represent progress, but I shall not conceal the fact that I believe we should have gone further at Maastricht, and incorporated the Social Charter into the treaty in its entirety.

(Applause)

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      Cf.  Proudhon, Principe Fédératif * Le mémorandum d'Alexis Leger * The Briand Memorandum * Kalergi, European Spirit must Precede Europe's Political Unification * La Construction de l'Europe selon Jean Monnet * Plan Fouchet * L'Union Européenne selon Altiero Spinelli * Mitterrand and Kohl urge European Political Union * Il Manifesto di Ventotene

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