For many, she was an anchor of stability in a rapidly changing world. She was once called “Elizabeth the Steadfast”. She was indeed a wise leader who never failed to show us the importance of lasting values in this modern world – values like service, commitment, and tradition.
We remember a remarkable woman today.
A remarkable human being. Who shouldered an immense responsibility over
the past 70 years. Her inspiration has spanned generations. And touched
the lives of so many.
While we all mourn the passing of
Queen Elizabeth the Second, we also consider her reign. It has left a
legacy like few others in European and global history. From the
turbulent years of the Cold War well into the globalised era of the 21st
century.
She once said: “grief is the price we
pay for love”. She was respected, esteemed, and sincerely loved by so
many around the world. Our thoughts are, first and foremost, with the
King and the Royal Family, with the people of the United Kingdom, and
the Commonwealth.
For us in the European Union, her
reign covered almost the full arc of post-war European integration. We
will always remember her contribution to reconciliation among our
nations after World War II and the Cold War. She had experienced the
devastation of World War II and knew the importance of trust and
cooperation among our countries.
Many of our past and present European leaders have experienced her warm hospitality. So did I at several occasions.
We will do our part to carry on her legacy. Her special legacy of building bridges and of building trust among nations.
Council of the EU
© European Council
Key
Hover over the blue highlighted
text to view the acronym meaning
Hover
over these icons for more information
Comments:
No Comments for this Article