In June, Vienna became the meeting place for a young pro-European generation. More than 50 presidents and representatives of YEPP member organisations from 22 countries came together for our Conference of Presidents. As the largest political youth organisation in Europe, representing over 60 organisations and almost 1.4 million members, YEPP has both the responsibility and the opportunity to contribute a clear vision for our continent.
The conference took place at a highly symbolic time, coinciding with the 32nd anniversary of Austria’s referendum on joining the European Union. It was therefore the right moment to reflect on what Europe has achieved and on what must change if it is to remain strong in the future.
During our days in Vienna, we held important discussions with JVP Chairwoman and Federal Minister for Europe Claudia Bauer and met Austrian Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker. At the centre of the conference, however, was the adoption of our joint Declaration of Presidents entitled “This Is Our Continent: A Europe That Acts and Keeps Its Promise.”
The European Union is not an abstract project in Brussels. It is our shared home and the most successful peace project in history. It reconciled former enemies, created stability and gave generations of Europeans the freedom to live, study, work and travel across borders. For young people in particular, Europe has opened possibilities that previous generations could only imagine.
But peace, freedom and prosperity can never be taken for granted. Europe must continuously renew itself, defend its values and prepare for the challenges ahead.
Today, we too often find ourselves sitting at the back of the plane as one passenger among many. In a world shaped by war, authoritarian pressure, technological disruption and fierce economic competition, the European Union cannot simply react to decisions taken elsewhere. Europe must return to the cockpit!
This requires an honest assessment of where the European Union must improve. Too often, Europe becomes absorbed by technical details, excessive regulation and internal hesitation. These issues may matter, but they must not overshadow Europe’s original promise: peace, freedom, prosperity and the ability to shape our common future.
We need a European Union that focuses on the major challenges. Our declaration therefore calls for a European agenda built around security, competitiveness and enlargement.
Europe must strengthen its security and defence capabilities, reinforce the European pillar of the transatlantic partnership and become more resilient against cyberattacks, disinformation, foreign interference and attacks on critical infrastructure. Security also means protecting our borders, energy supplies, technologies, supply chains and social cohesion.
At the same time, Europe must regain its economic strength. Prosperity is the foundation of our social model and of our ability to invest in security, innovation and cohesion. We need less unnecessary bureaucracy, a stronger Single Market and better conditions for start-ups, SMEs, industry, researchers and innovators. Europe must be a continent where ideas become companies, research becomes products and young people see genuine opportunities.
Europe must also keep its promise to the Western Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova and the other candidate countries. They are part of our continent. Their stability is our stability, and their democratic future is part of Europe’s democratic future. The accession process must remain merit-based and linked to clear reforms, but when countries fulfil the agreed criteria, there must be no artificial or politically motivated blockades.
Finally, democracy itself can never be taken for granted. Freedom, human dignity, pluralism, responsibility, solidarity, active civic engagement and the rule of law must be defended by every generation.
The Declaration of Presidents is a commitment by young pro-European generation not merely to observe change, but to shape it. We believe in a Europe that protects, competes, innovates, welcomes talent, keeps its promises and acts with confidence. We believe in a Europe that is not afraid of its own future.
My sincere thanks go to everyone who made this Conference of Presidents possible, especially Claudia Bauer, the entire JVP team and all those who worked behind the scenes with such dedication. Your commitment, hospitality and hard work made Vienna a strong starting point for the next chapter of our common European work.
