The Marshall Plan made it clear that this time America had come to stay. A continued American commitment to the well-being of Europe was and is in the interests of both Europeans and Americans. Our destinies are intertwined. In the third place, the Marshall Plan taught us an impressive lesson in international solidarity. We Europeans have followed its example by assisting many peoples around the world.
International cooperation remains a common challenge, both now and in the future.
Today we are not only commemorating the past. We are witnessing the birth of a new Europe - the Europe that we have embarked upon building since the end of the Cold War. It is a continent that is undivided, where democracy reigns, and where people live in peace and prosperity. It is also a Europe that is open to the rest of the world, that accepts its global responsibility, and that is united with North America in a strong a equal partnership. With the Cold War now relegated to history, we have a great opportunity to continue the process that George Marshall and true Europeans like Jean Monnet initiated fifty years ago.