Dear Prof. Forchel,
Dear Mr Lord Mayor Rosenthal,
Dear Mr Consul General Mugdal, Mr Birk, Mr Lehmann,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A warm welcome in Wurzburg to the Euro-Indian Week.
It’s a great pleasure to be here at my alma mater.
As a former student of this university it’s a great pleasure for me to welcome the alumni from India and all over the world.
I’m sure; you will agree that the Alumni Network Wurzburg and the Wurzburg Centre for Modern India prepared a diversified and interesting program for this week.
For those of you who do not know me already, just a few words to introduce myself.
I am a Member of the European Parliament since 2004.
Prior being a Politician I studied Law at this University and Lausanne and worked as a lawyer.
Thus far about me, but know I will focus on India and the European Union
India is rising.
The largest democracy worldwide is gaining more and more importance.
India is a key partner for Germany and the European Union in the region.
Not just in economic terms, but also in politics and science.
Therefore we need to strengthen our ties with India.
Not just in developing trade but also in developing cultural, civil and scholarly exchange.
Both side will benefit and learn from the cooperation.
The University of Wurzburg is a forerunner in this field.
The University of Wurzburg maintains fruitful partnerships with four Indian universities.
A Centre for India-Studies was authorized in Wurzburg in 2010.
It will facilitate the exchange of students and scientists between Germany and India
The Centre is also enhancing the intercultural knowledge of all those involved.
As many bonds exist between the University of Wurzburg and India as many bonds exist between the European Union and India.
The relationship between the European Union and the Republic of India goes back to the earliest days of the European integration.
Agreements stretch back to the 1960s.
Since 2004, the EU and India have built a strategic partnership.
It helps to realise the full potential of the relationship in key interests.
The aims are:
To develop the political dialogue
To promote sustainable development
To bring the people together
To strengthen the economic ties
Currently the EU and India negotiate a Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement.
That should maximise business opportunities for companies on both sides.
To bring the people together and the expansion of educational exchanges enables increasing numbers of young Indians to study in Europe.
Cultural exchanges are becoming more and more prominent and are stimulating greater awareness of cultural diversity.
Thus the exchange of the civil society is of particular important in the partnership.
As I said: Bring people together.
But not in the EU-India relations – as well as within the EU.
Because Politicians can build the “House of Europe and Cooperation between EU and India” but, Ladies and Gentlemen, you who must fill it with life.
That’s what you are doing – By hosting this Euro-India week here in at the University of Wurzburg – Congratulations!
I wish all of you a successful week of exchange, fruitful discussion and a good time!
Thank you for your attention.