Comment Neelie (Kroes)

[...] At the same time we also have the responsibility to dare to show that retreating behind borders and relying on models of the past is not the answer to the challenges we are facing. Let us not pretend we can escape the negative effects of globalisation by withdrawing behind dikes and borders. Climate change, neither rising energy costs nor cyber-crime or the banking crisis stop at Lobith on the Dutch border. We need to work on contemporary solutions which match these challenges, together with our partners and allies. Join forces, expertise and investments. The European Union provides the right platform to organise this. National governments and parliaments, as well as the European institutions could and should play a larger role in making clear to their citizens what they are fighting for on a European level. And not only during election time.