Thank you Kate, Matt and Politico
for hosting me this morning. I'd like to
take a moment to say something about the
horrific terrorist attack on London last
Wednesday. I'm sure I speak for everyone
here when I say our hearts are with the
family and friends of those who lost
their lives and everyone who was injured.
You know, the victims came from across
Europe and around the world. From the UK
France, Spain, Romania, Greece, Germany,
Poland, Ireland, Italy, South Korea, China
and the United States. This was a
cowardly and horrific attack in the
heart of London, but it's also an attack
on us all and I shared way of life. It
was an attack on our values of democracy,
freedom, justice and tolerance. Values
that are shared across our continent and
the people of Brussels know all too well
what it's like to suffer from senseless
terrorism and I know we share a steely
determination to never allow those
terrorists to succeed. The message today
from us is simple and clear: London
Brussels and Europe will never be cowed
by terrorism. We will defeat their
poisonous ideology, on behalf of all
Londoners I want to thank you for your
incredible friendship shown by our
European neighbours, friends and allies
over recent days. It really has been
amazing. It matters, it means a lot, it
makes us stronger during these difficult
times to be reminded that we have
enduring and historic friendships. It's a
reminder of all we have in common, and
it's a reminder that even though Britain
will be
leaving the European Union we simply must
continue to work together, not only on
security and counter-terrorism, but on the
many shared challenges that we face. So I'd
like to ask you to please stand and join
me in a moment's
silence to remember PC
Keith Palmer, Aysha Frade, Kurt Cochran,
Leslie Rhodes and all the victims of
terrorism across our continent.
Thank you.
Members of the European Parliament, ladies and gentlemen, it's a
privilege to address such a
distinguished audience, in such an
illustrious venue. With representatives
from politics, the media and business
from across Europe. I became the Mayor of
London less than a year ago, I knew then
that my city faced big challenges ahead.
The same challenges faced by many
European cities, from air pollution and
security. From the cost of living to the lack
of affordable housing. But it's now clear
that one of the biggest challenges facing
London and indeed all of Europe is a
new one - Brexit. So it won't surprise you
that this is what I'd like to talk about
today. I'm here to talk to you as an
ambassador for London but also as a
friend, a colleague and a proud European.
I campaigned for Britain to remain as part of
the European Union. I campaigned for what
in my view was the best interest of
London, Britain and all of Europe. And
even though London and other major
cities in my country voted to remain in
the EU, the rest of my country chose to
take a different path and Brexit is
now going to happen. The British people
gave their verdict. They expressed their
democratic will which must be respected,
and we know the British Prime Minister
is due to trigger Article 50 tomorrow
which will mean the start of Brexit
negotiations. So the question now is this,
what form should Brexit take and what
deal is in the interest of all concerned. So
I'm here in Brussels at a pivotal moment in
our shared history and I come with three
important messages. Firstly, a message
that London will always remain open to
Europe and the EU. Secondly, to send a
direct message to EU citizens across the
continent. And thirdly, with a message
actually to the British Prime Minister and
the British Government about how best to
proceed over the next two years and
beyond. Let me start with London. Brexit
has caused a huge amount of
uncertainty about London's future, not
only in the UK but around the world. So
one of the reasons of my visit is to
reassure European citizens and
businesses that despite Brexit, my city,
London will always remain open and
welcoming to the world. Immediately after
the referendum I launched a major new
campaign: London is open. I want to prove
beyond any doubt that London remains
welcoming, united, outward-looking and open.
Open to investment, open to trade and
open to talent. I want to show that
London is and will always remain the
best place in the world to do business.
To show that London is, and will always
be, entrepreneurial, international,
inclusive and full of creativity and
possibility. And to show that London is,
and will always remain, open to the best
and the brightest talent from Europe and
around the world. So I come here with a
message of optimism and hope during
gloomy times because I'm optimistic
about London's future and our future
working together and everyone here
should be too. This takes me to my
second message about the mutual
interests of London, the UK and the EU.
Europe's history of culture, innovation
and democracy has helped to shape the
world as we know it for centuries, and
today nations on every continent of our
planet still look to Europe with
admiration. They look to us for guidance
and leadership on major global issues
and we should ever underestimate how
much of our collective success
is thanks to European Union. The EU is
an institution like no other in the
world. And it's an institution that I'm
proud my country has been part of for
the last 44 years. Yes the EU has been
criticised and sometimes - sometimes
justifiably so, with increasing calls for
major reform. But you mustn't forget the
extent to which it's been a force for
good in the world, how much it's achieved
and how it's transformed the face of Europe.
The EU stands as a symbol for how
different people and different nations
are stronger together than they are apart.
The single market has changed the
lives of 500 million people in Europe
and more than 21 million businesses
in Europe for the better. And it's also
changed the lives of people and
businesses around the world for the
better. The EU has funded regeneration in
the poorest communities across Europe
including in London. It's introduced
vital workers rights and enhanced social
welfare. It's protected consumers, it's
entrenched equal pay and the rights of
women throughout Europe. It's made us
- safer - the cross-border policing, the
European Arrest Warrant, intelligence
sharing and much, much more. And it's
assisted in the extraordinary political
social and economic transformation of
many countries which are now full
members of the EU - something unimaginable
when I was growing up. But the greatest
achievement - which you must never take
- for granted - is that for 60 years the
European Union has been the foundation
of peace in Europe following centuries
of bloodshed on our continent.
This march of progress is never
inevitable. It's thanks to the hard work of
good men and women, and cities and
countries working together - here in
Brussels and across the continent. To spread
the values of justice, equality and peace.
And to ensure prosperity is advanced
through investment and trade, key drivers
of economic growth. So the EU has
a distinguished history, and it's one we
must really be proud of regardless of
the current climate. But I'm also
optimistic about the future of the EU.
There's no question that we're facing
turbulent times across Europe, some would
say a turning point. And there are major
challenges ahead. The rise of narrow
populist parties. The challenge of
ensuring that all our citizens share in
the benefits of globalisation and
standing strong in the face of our
common enemies, like the terrorism we saw
in London last week and that has
unfortunately been experienced in other
European cities including of course
Paris, Berlin, and Brussels. But I'm
confident - and you should be too - that
the European Union will survive long after
Brexit and the tests we now face. And
that the EU will continue to benefit
millions of Europeans and advanced
progress just it has over the last six
decades. So as a friend of the EU, as a
Mayor of a European city, and as a proud
European, my message to you is this: Now
is the time to be confident in the
European Union and to act with
confidence. There's no need, as some have
suggested, for the EU to send a message
or to instill fear by punishing the UK.
Because a proud, optimistic and confident
institution does not secure its future
through fear. Quite the opposite. Because
the truth is that London will always
remain a key partner for Brussels and
every European nation long after
Brexit is resolved. And I say
this with both humility and pride. London
is home to Europe's undisputed financial
and commercial capital. My city is not only
the beating heart of Britain's economy,
but the single most important organ for
growth across Europe. I say this with
friendship and all due respect - but a bad
Brexit deal that hurts London, would hurt
the European Union too. It would cut Europe
off from the only truly global financial
centre. It would disrupt the supply
chains of major institutions and sectors
across the continent, hurting everyone in
the process. It's simply the case that
major financial institutions,
transactions and jobs will not move on
mass from London to Paris, Frankfurt,
Madrid or Dublin. but as businesses have
made clear to me, a bad Brexit could
instead see businesses and jobs leaving
Europe all together. Going to New
York, Singapore and Hong Kong instead.
This will be bad news for Europe, as well
as for Britain. So a bad Brexit, a
so-called hard Brexit, really is a
lose-lose situation for jobs, growth and
liberal standards across Europe. So my
message to European citizens from Sweden
to Italy, Germany to Romania, is this: Tell
your leaders to ensure that the Brexit
negotiations are conducted in the best
interest of your future, your family's
future, the future of your country and
the values that the EU was founded upon.
That means ensuring that all sides enter
the negotiations over the coming period
with a single united ambition. To see
Britain and the whole of the EU continue
to thrive and prosper. This is what I and
millions of Londoners and Brits want to see.
And I know is the same for the majority
of EU citizens too.
There's common interest we can all
unite around. Finally I'm going to finish
with a message to the British Prime
Minister and the British Government.
There are 3.3 million EU citizens
living across Britain, around a million
in London alone. They make a huge
contribution to our city, our economy,
our culture, and our society. And I'm sure
many of you here today would have lived,
worked, or studied in London at some
point in your life, and many will have
friends and family living in London right
now. I've always been clear, every
single EU citizen in London is a
Londoner and - they are - and will always be -
welcome to our city. But it's crucial
that the British Government now does the
same, because as we start the Brexit
negotiations it would be a perfect
gesture of goodwill and proof that we
still have a common interest as a
continent to provide a cast-iron
guarantee of their rights to remain in
the UK. Of course, I urge the EU to do the
same for British citizens living elsewhere in
the EU. And I am pleased that the
President of the European Council, Donald Tusk,
has called on European leaders to
do so. But I call on the British
Government to act now, because we're
talking about people's lives and
families. Husbands, wives and children and
that's just too important for us to use
as a bargaining chip. So let me finish
with this. I'm optimistic that London,
the UK and the EU have bright futures
ahead of us. And that the historic bonds
we've established over many years can
and will endure. The UK might be leaving the
union but in London, we'll always consider
ourselves part of the European family.
Our connection and collaboration
is rooted in mutual interests and common
values. Of course with have disagreements, but we
all start from the foundation of
democracy, justice and the ambition to
improve the lives of our citizens. I know
that with the right approach, one that
remembers our shared values, we'll achieve
remarkable things together as we go
forward. Not only for the cities,
countries and institutions we represent
but crucially - for the people we serve. You know
it was a Erasmus - a name that now
embodies European co-operation and
understanding, who famously said, "Fortune
favors the audacious." - And now - at this
turning point in European history - it's time
for us to be audacious and bold with our
approach to Brexit. This means putting
aside the animosity, differences and
anger that many expect. And working
together to find a solution that brings
continued fortune and prosperity to us
all. Thank you very much.