Clear commitment to Europe

05-05-2017

Philipp Schindera

Nine major German companies stick up for Europe and Deutsche Telekom is among them. With the motto #We4Europe, notable companies such as Deutsche Bank, Volkswagen and publishing house Axel Springer joined forces to send a signal for an open, united, strong Europe!

The goal of this campaign is to point out the advantages and accomplishments that have been achieved during 60 years of a united Europe, and to support those who agitate for that cause at the same time.

Therefore, the involved companies publish today, May 5^th , the very day the Council of Europe was founded in Strasbourg in 1949, a declaration in which they commit themselves to a strong and united Europe.

Here is the declaration

European industry and millions of its employees have benefitted for over half a century from peace, freedom and economic cooperation. It is the basis of our economic prosperity and quality of life. And that foundation must not be jeopardised. This is why we, as internationally operating companies, are declaring our common commitment – to an open, united and strong Europe!

The European Economic Community (EEC), a milestone in the economic and political cohesion of Europe, was founded 60 years ago, at a time when the rubble of two devastating world wars had not been completely removed and our continent bore all the scars of war and suffering. The Europe in which we now live is a different, better Europe.

As the largest internal market in the world, Europe is a heavyweight in international trade. The per capita GDP of the six founding nations of the EEC has since tripled in size. We have a degree of personal prosperity and freedom that was unimaginable directly after the end of the 2^nd World War.

As internationally operating companies, we are all agreed that Europe gives us many benefits and now is the right moment for us to give something back.

From the outset, political and economic integration were mutually supportive growth drivers. The common market was just the starting point of an increasingly interwoven European world: goods and services are freely traded today, and every day the old borders and language barriers are disregarded as a matter of course. It is where people meet. It is the lifeblood of Europe. While it needs to be discussed which topics the EU should address itself and which it should leave to the member states, we should return to a focus on the benefits of the union instead of constantly complaining about red tape and regulation.

Yet these benefits of European integration are often seen as the norm. The fact that they only emerged as the result of enormous effort is sometimes overlooked or forgotten. But we in our companies experience the many benefits of Europe on a day-to-day basis. Our everyday life and working world is an international one. And we want to draw attention to that.

We are committed to supporting the future of Europe, which is why this issue is and will remain important for our communication agenda. We support all areas of society actively and constructively lobbying for European unity. And we want to encourage those responsible in government, industry and society to continue strengthening the cause of a united Europe and work together on making it better. As internationally operating companies, we want to play our part in this.

For peace, freedom and prosperity – for a united Europe!

axel springer — Volkswagen AG — Lanxess — BMW Group — Deutsche Bank AG — innogy — RWE — thyssenkrupp