Address by Her Majesty the Queen during the dinner at the Noordeinde Palace in The Hague on Tuesday 4 March 2003 at the occasion of the official visit of H.E. the President of the Republic of Italy to the Netherlands (4-5 March 2003)
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Mr President,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you and Mrs Ciampi on your official visit to the Netherlands. We greet you as the distinguished representatives of a country that through the ages has inspired many, and of a people that, since Europe's earliest history, has enriched the world with its exceptional talents.
Italy occupies a special place in the hearts of the Dutch, as well. That is the fortunate result of a long-standing friendship. Moreover, Italy has always been - and still is - a favourite travel destination and an inexhaustible source of inspiration for the Dutch. Accordingly, two Dutch cultural institutes have for many years been active in Italy - in Florence and Rome - serving all those who wish to steep themselves in your country's rich cultural heritage.
The influence of Italian art, architecture and music can be found everywhere in the Netherlands. In every transition to a new style or a new era in the history of European art, Italian artists have played a leading role and found followers in other countries. To this very day, modern Italian design gives colour and form to our everyday lives, and one of your compatriots is currently conducting the Concertgebouw orchestra. In short Italy's cultural contribution to our country - and to the world - is of inestimable value.
You are visiting the Netherlands at a time when the European Union is preparing for an extensive enlargement, which will have profound significance for the future of the Union and that of our two countries. Our fundamental involvement in this process is enhanced by the fact that both Italy and the Netherlands will soon assume responsibility for the Presidency.
Italy and the Netherlands were both among the founding fathers of the European Community that signed the Treaty of Rome in nineteen fifty-seven. In the years within the Community that have passed since then, our countries have often stood shoulder to shoulder defending positions and seeking solutions. In doing so they have been guided by shared values and by the conviction that the road to European unity is the only possible way to go. Both before and during your term of office you dedicated yourself personally to the integration process and thus made an essential contribution to the lasting links between Italy and the countries that still form the heart of our Union. The great trust that is placed in you enabled you to play a decisive part in Italy's successful accession to the group of countries that have introduced the euro.
The European Union is now about to take a historic step: an enlargement into a community of twenty-five countries. This calls for far-reaching constitutional reform, which is being prepared by the Convention on the Future of the European Union. The decision on the results of its deliberations may possibly be taken during the Italian presidency. It is conceivable, therefore, that the original Treaty of Rome will be amended by a new Treaty of Rome. Giving it that familiar name would be an appropriate illustration of Italy's role in the Community.
With enlargement, a start has been made on surmounting the old dividing lines in Europe. Now peoples who for a long time have had to live on the other side of the partition are acceding to a uniting Europe. The historical significance of this cannot be overestimated. We must not close our eyes to the fact that the accession of ten new countries will also demand substantial sacrifices from the present Member States. However, that is a price that can never be too high in view of the goal we are aiming for: peace and justice in Europe. We should be aware that with this enlargement of the Union we are writing a great new chapter in European history.
Mr President,
Almost five hundred years ago in fifteen thirteen, the famous statesman and political philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli wrote: "There is nothing more difficult to take in hand, more perilous to conduct or more uncertain in its success, than to take a lead in the introduction of a new order of things". As founding fathers, our countries bear a special responsibility to do the utmost to make this new order of things a success. The Netherlands looks forward to standing shoulder to shoulder with Italy again at the decisive moments.
Vorrei invitare tutti i presenti a brindare alla Sua salute, Signor Presidente, alla salute della Signora Ciampi e alla felice continuazione, colma di successi, della secolare e fruttuosa collaborazione esistente tra i nostri Paesi.