Dear Deputy Director-General Mingarelli,

Ambassador Abou,

Ladies and gentlemen, friends:

 

Welcome to the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition "Expo 2010 Shanghai, China". First of all, I would like to express my heart-felt thanks to Mingarelli and the DG RELEX for the kind support and excellent organization. I would also like to thank my dear friend Ambassador Serge Abou for having taken such a long journey to bring us fresh information from Shanghai.

There are less than two months to go when the Shanghai Expo will be inaugurated. I am sure that most of you share my anticipation of new inventions, products and technologies that this Expo will bring us. The World Expo has always been a stage for countries to display their achievements in economic, social, cultural and technological development. It also serves as a platform for the participants to increase exchanges, strengthen understanding, learn from each other and pursue common development. The Shanghai Expo, in addition to that, will bring China and the world closer to each other. As the host, China is working in close coordination with the participating parties and making every effort in the preparations. Together we will make this Expo a successful, exciting and unforgettable event.

The Shanghai Expo, first of all, will promote the spirit of openness and progress. Conforming to the development trend of human civilizations, it will take an active approach and open attitude in presenting the latest achievements around the world and promoting global exchange of experience and technology. It will leave a brilliant chapter in the history of the World Expo.

 

Secondly, the Shanghai Expo will promote cross-cultural exchange and understanding. It will bring together development achievements from different countries, advanced technology in different fields and participating entities from different sectors. It will be a "Carnival" for exchange, dialogue and integration between peoples and cultures.

Thirdly, the Shanghai Expo will promote innovation cooperation and economic momentum. It will uphold the theme that "all begins with the Expo", and actively promote cooperation in innovation and related applications, which will contribute to exploring potentials for world economic recovery and growth.

 

Fourthly, the Shanghai Expo will promote confidence and solidarity in meeting global challenges. As the world is facing many challenges today, the Shanghai Expo will fully demonstrate the strength of human progress and the spirit of international cooperation, which will boost the confidence and consensus of the international community for a joint effort to meet the challenges.

Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,

I remember very clearly it was on 20 January 2009 that I first learned about the good news of the Commission's participation in Shanghai World Expo. That day I had the honor to meet with President Barroso, and he told me that despite the tradition that the European Commission never participate in World Expos outside Europe, the Commission had decided to have its presence in the Shanghai World Expo. 10 days later, President Barroso formally announced the decision during the talks with the visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

I applaud for this decision. Because what I see from it is not only the interest of the EU in innovation, progress, openness and cooperation, but most importantly the highest importance the EU attaches to its relations with China and great opportunities the EU has to promote its visibility and reputation in China.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations. There are many more opportunities waiting ahead. Besides the new outlook brought by the entry-into-force of Lisbon Treaty, which we're observing with great interest and expectation, President Barroso and his college will visit China soon again. There will be ASEM and 13th China-EU Summit in October in Brussels. I sincerely hope we both could seize and make best use of these opportunities and bring China-EU relations to a new height.

I wish this photo exhibition a success!

I welcome more European friends to visit China and the Shanghai World Expo!

Thank you!