Angela Merkel receives honorary doctorate from Flemish universities
German chancellor Angela Merkel was in Brussels yesterday to receive an honorary doctorate co-awarded by the universities of Ghent and Leuven
‘EU must take more responsibility’
Charles Michel opened the ceremony with comments on how Germany’s past shaped Merkel’s future. “As a young woman,” he said, “you witnessed the construction of the Berlin Wall. That must have made you feel very powerless. After two horrific wars, your freedom – and that of so many others – was again being limited.”
He went on to say – in words that echoed the general theme of the speeches at the hour-long ceremony – that Europe must stand together “to defend our freedoms, tooth and nail. Because only in a free Europe can there be peace and prosperity.”
Flemish minister president Geert Bourgeois, who spoke in both Dutch and German, noted that he was happy to see the Belgian and German heads of state meeting in “more relaxed circumstances” than Merkel’s usual trips to Brussels. “World-famous Flemish universities are co-operating to award you with an honorary doctorate in recognition of your diplomatic and political efforts in the development of Europe. On behalf of the Flemish government, I offer my sincere congratulations.”
On accepting the doctorate from Ghent University rector Anne De Paepe and University of Leuven rector Rik Torfs, Merkel said that it was particularly significant to her to receive such academic recognition as she herself has been a researcher, with a doctorate in physical chemistry.
She went on to talk about the relations between Belgium and Germany, both past and present, emphasising Belgium’s co-operation following the Second World War when rebuilding diplomatic ties would have seemed impossible. She continued with her insistence that the EU be able to defend its interests without the help of other “world powers”, who may not always share those interests.
With clear references to the United States, she said: “I am convinced that Europe and the EU must learn to take more responsibility in the world in the future. Let’s not fool ourselves: From the viewpoint of some of our traditional partners, and I’m thinking of transatlantic ties, there is no guarantee of perpetuity for close co-operation with us Europeans.”
She ended by telling the students present to continue their quest for knowledge and creativity long after they leave university, as they are the future of Europe.
Photo: German chancellor Angela Merkel (centre) receives an honorary doctorate from Ghent University rector Anne De Paepe (left) and University of Leuven rector Rik Torfs (right)
©Jasper Jacobs/BELGA
