This enlargement was unprecedented, both in size and complexity. But for those of us, who grew up during the Post-World War years, and who saw the hopes of a border free continent being turned into divisive Cold War, this enlargement was also unforeseen. When we did our studies in the 1960s and 1970s, we could not possibly have predicted that within thirty years we would see the end of the arms race, the collapse of the Iron Curtain and the opening up of borders to goods, services, capital and people.

Enlargement of the European Union to the south means that the waters of the Mediterranean no longer divide, but unite, as they did in Greek and Roman times. In the east it means the end of the political, military and ideological cleavages, and in the north-east it will make the Baltic Sea an “inner sea” within the Union, as it was during the days of the Hanseatic League.

And now we are going to build the “New Europe” together. It will certainly not be easy or problem-free. Social and economic disparities have to be overcome. The complexities of decision making have to be addressed. Global challenges to security, democracy, freedom and prosperity have to be met. Some people reckon that we shall fail.

But there is no reason to believe that. I am confident that we will succeed. You have an important role to play in this respect. All of us, the old colleagues, and the new ones, who come to work for the DGT, are part of a process: our job is to ensure that the decisions we make, the documents we write and the initiatives we take in the Union, are understood by the citizens, many of whom speak no language other than their own. This is part of the transparency of the Union. If citizens cannot address the Union Institutions in their own language, if they cannot access the legislation which concerns them, how can the Union claim any legitimacy? Without you to translate the documents into the relevant languages with quality, precision and speed, how can the Union work efficiently?

The fact is that the European Union is unique in the world in respecting linguistic diversity, recognising the official languages of the Member States as its own, and endeavouring to ensure their equal treatment. This is also why your role is so important in making a reality of multilingualism as one of the founding principles of the European Union.

The work which you are requested to do is complex and never ending, sometimes fastidious but also rewarding. It requires inventiveness, because you also contribute to the evolution of language: the coining of new terms and concepts which may never have existed before. And it requires skills in new information technology which has developed enormously as a translation tool over the last decade.

Our new colleagues will also bring fresh air to our service: new ideas, new initiatives, new horizons. This will enrich our work, make us progress. No one should hesitate to share ideas and experiences.