The king, Felipe VI, highlighted the value of strong partnerships as a path to sustainable progress. Speaking after presenting the European construction award to Warsaw’s mayor, Rafal Trzaskowski, during a Cercle d’Economia gathering, he stressed that Europe possesses vast assets and shared values. With careful, well managed strategies, he asserted, opportunities for advancement can be captured in a setting of uncertainty that still prizes cooperation across Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and the broader European Union.
In a moment that felt pivotal for Europe, diverse crises from the Brexit trajectory and the Covid era to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine have fortified European institutions. The approach to these successive challenges has not only reinforced institutions but also boosted citizen confidence across the continent and among its member states. This confidence, rooted in unity and resilience, strengthens the sense of European belonging among people who live and work across the union.
Long-term focus during transition periods
The king underscored the need to keep a steady eye on the long term during times of transition. He described the climate of recurring and overlapping crises as a reminder that urgent matters demand attention, yet the context cannot be forgotten. The path to meaningful progress lies in cooperation and a shared commitment to durable solutions that can withstand shifting circumstances.
The speech paid tribute to Warsaw’s mayor for showing generosity and leadership in welcoming refugees from Ukraine and for upholding the rule of law, minority rights, and energetic civic engagement. These actions were presented as emblematic of Europeanism in practice, reflecting a commitment to human dignity and inclusive governance across borders.
James Guardiola, president of Cercle, recalled that the award for Trzaskowski recognized his humanitarian work with Ukrainian refugees and his defense of the rule of law and European values within Poland. Guardiola noted that Trzaskowski represents a youthful, urban, and European-minded Poland, reinforcing the connection between local leadership and broader European identity. The two preceding awards went to Mario Draghi, former head of the European Central Bank, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, highlighting a tradition of recognizing contemporaries who influence Europe from different angles.
Earlier, former Cercle leaders Josep Pique, Vicenç Oller, and Enric Corominas had passed away, and Anton Costas, the former chairman of the organization and current head of the Economic and Social Council, was entrusted with shaping the tribute in the monarch’s presence. The king participated in honoring this circle of leaders and caretakers of European progress.