Here again it is clear that Austria's attitude in many respects is in full accord with the attitude of the European Parliament. What matters today, then, is to go on strengthening the European Union in important areas and to adapt it to the requirements of the 21st century. What has to remain the core of our efforts is the first ever peaceful and democratic unification of our continent. That makes this process so unique but also so vulnerable. To those who by now regard our common Europe as a matter of course, we must make clear the fundamental significance for peace and stability in the whole of Europe of continuing the process of European integration.
Democracy is always hard work.
Especially at the wider European level, it calls for the active commitment of all Europeans, to whose judgment we must subject ourselves daily. The situation in which Austria is currently finding itself is uncomfortable and fraught with consequences for my country and especially for its people. But it is also uncomfortable and fraught with consequences for the other fourteen member countries of the European Union. There are no signs whatever that Austria is straying from its traditional path of parliamentary democracy or from European values. I ask you therefore to join me in seeking and finding a way out of this situation-for the benefit of the people of my country as well as for the benefit of the European Union.