H.E. Mr. António Costa, President of the European Council, was awarded the 2025 Forum Europa Prize by New Economy Forum in a ceremony presided over by the H.M. the King of Spain, the President of the Spanish Senate; the President of the Spanish Constitutional Court; the Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy; and the Spanish Minister for Economy, Trade and Enterprise; at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain.
The full transcript of his acceptance speech is reproduced below:
15 October, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Ms. Roxana Mînzatu
European Commission Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness
28 October, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Ms. Dubravka Šuica
European Commissioner for the Mediterranean
6 November, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Mr. José Vicente de los Mozos
CEO of Indra Group
6 November, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Mr. José Manuel Albares
Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation
13 November, from 9:00 to 10:15
Steigenberger Icon Wiltcher's Hotel
Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva
European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
20 November, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Mr. Manfred Weber
President of the European People's Party (EPP) and Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
20 November, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Ms. Dolors Montserrat
Secretary General of the European People's Party (EPP)
28 November, from 9:00 to 10:15
Cercle Royal Gaulois
Ms. Jessika Roswall
European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy
THANKS TO THE SPONSORSHIP OF
Ms. Henna Virkkunen
European Commission Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy
Ms. Maria Luís Albuquerque
European Commissioner for Financial Services and the Savings and Investments Union
Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis
European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, and for Implementation and Simplification
Ms. Teresa Ribera
European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition
Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Mr. Enrico Letta
President of the Jacques Delors Institute and Prime Minister of Italy (2013-2014)
Ms. Margrethe Vestager
European Commission Executive Vice-President for a Europe fit for the Digital Age and Commissioner for Competition
Mr. Margaritis Schinas
Mr. Josep Borrell Fontelles
High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission
Ms. Mairead McGuinness
European Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union
Ms. Mariya Gabriel
European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth
Ms. Helle Thorning-Schmidt
CEO of Save the Children International & Former Prime Minister of Denmark
Mr. Joaquín Almunia
Vice President of the European Commission & European Commissioner for Competition
Mr. Maroš Šefčovič
European Commission Vice-President for Inter-Institutional Relations and Administration
Mr. Ángel Gurría
Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Mr. Antonio Tajani
President of the European Parliament (2017-2019)
I come with pleasure a third time because the debates in this prestigious forum have always been very interesting for me.
Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker
President of the European Commission (2014-2019)
Mr. President: your forum is, in fact, a place for debate, for dialogue, that seeks cohesion. The virtues of your forum are exactly the same for Europe as a whole: Europe must be a continent of dialogue, and not confrontation
Ms. Angela Merkel
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (2005-2021)
Despite being a very young organization, you have a really interesting mission:to promote social debate, talk about cohesion in our society, about economic strength. I want to congratulate you (José Luis Rodríguez), to your forum, because it doesn't limit this debate to Spain. With this forum Spain shows that its future, like a lot of people think in Germany, is a common future, an European future
Mr. Ángel Gurría
Secretary-General of the OECD (2006-2021)
In appreciation to Foro Nueva Economía for its hospitality and for giving us this superb platform for sharingthoughts on the world economy and Spain.
Mr. Josep Borrell
High Representative/Vice-President of the European Commission
Thanks again to New Economy Forum for the opportunity of talking about Europe
Mr. Margaritis Schinas
Vice-President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life.
It's a pleasure to me to be here and exchange opinions about this great Europe that joins us together.
Mr. Guy Ryder
Director-General of the International Labour Organization-ILO
I thank New Economy Forum for its invitation and this new opportunity to be with so many Spanish friends. See you soon!
Ms. Nadia Calviño
President of the European Investment Bank (EIB)
Many thanks to my friends of New Economy Forum for their kind invitation ... and for the intense question session! See you soon.
Mr. Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2016)
I am deeply honoured to receive the New Economy Forum Award to Social and Economic Development. With this award, you show that you perfectly understand the three pillars of the United Nations: Development, Peace, and Solidarity - three closely related things, so important for human rights in today’s world. At the same time, you are giving your support for multilateralism.
Mr. Anibal Cavaco Silva
President of the Republic of Portugal (2006-2016)
The pleasure to receive this Award is completely justified by its prestige and the important causes that are in its origin
Mr. Giorgio Napolitano
President of the Republic of Italy (2006-2015)
It is a great privilege for me to receive the New Economy Forum Award, which has already distinguished the fathers of the Spanish Constitution, European and international figures, and famous personalities.
Mr. Juan Manuel Santos
President of the Republic of Colombia (2010-2018)
Many thanks for this great honour for my country, Colombia, and personally for me
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