The story was the same with Europe’s cannon, electric lighting, printing, small firearms, and innumerable other innovations: each was first neglected or opposed in some parts of Europe for idiosyncratic reasons, but once adopted in one area, it eventually spread to the rest of Europe.” Europe rose to dominance over the centuries to the extent that the positive effects of competition prevailed over the negative effects associated with the recurrent conflicts between states that stemmed from the inability to resolve the tensions generated by competition. The European Union was created precisely in order to ensure that the spirit of emulation and competition could operate within a framework of peace. There is no doubt that there are currently substantial differences within Europe, with some countries demonstrating a strong capacity to adapt to the new global conditions, while others are finding it hard to implement the changes that are necessary to maintain their level of prosperity and continue to grow. These differences are not confined to Europe. Contrary to what some observers say, I think that the anti-Europe movements that have emerged in some countries are a symptom of a more general dissatisfaction linked to the structural factors of the crisis. In the United States too, society is deeply divided on how to face the challenges of globalisation. Although European institutions provide an easy scapegoat, they represent an element of extraordinary strength in the current circumstances, not only for Europe, but also for the Member States, giving them – I believe – a great advantage.
Since the European Union has realized GDP of 12.34 thousand billion of the world's 40,000 (which means around 30%), our share, i.e. the share of the 10 countries, participants in tomorrow's conference, in the GDP of the 27 EU Member States, equals 4.5%. Ladies and Gentlemen, I do not present these figures for pure statistical reasons. It was agreed with president Azevski to give you a brief overview of today's hottest issue, "the financial crisis in the world". Management of this crisis, as well the response of each of us individually and jointly of the region, is directly related to the answer to the question in the focus of tomorrow's conference: How to go faster towards the EU? The figures that you are very well aware of, and I only reminded of them, indicate that: we were not in a position to cause the latest world financial crisis, that we are not in a position to solve it, but that we are definitely bearing the consequences from it for a simple reason: borders are open. Balance of payments current accounts are 100% liberalized. Varying from country to country, the export and import of goods and services participate with over 50%, up to nearly 100% in the domestic GDP. Capital accounts are also 100% liberalized in some of the participants in the conference, the others are close to that.