Peace was a temporary phenomenon. Only twelve years ago it was equally common for people to assume that the division of Europe between East and West was permanent. Now, the areas in which many of my family lived are beginning, just beginning, to enjoy freedom for the first time. In Romania and Hungary and the Czech republic millions of people have a degree of individual freedom and choice unimaginable for their parents and grandparents. None of that can ever be taken for granted.
Vigilance is always necessary.
That doesn't happen instantly, but I believe it will happen, and as you look around the world now it is hard to see a region with more latent economic potential than Europe. I don't believe there is any gap in intellectual ability or determination between Europeans and Americans. I don't believe there is any reason why Europeans can't win the Nobel prizes, or why Europeans can't take scientific breakthroughs and build great businesses. Perhaps what is most needed is the conviction that science and technology, applied by business can bring human progress. I'm convinced it can, and I want to quote just two examples to try and demonstrate what is possible.