"What is Europe?" The question that Portuguese students put to their German visitor Angela Merkel was not an easy one. "A pledge of peace," came the swift answer; and Europe has upheld the pledge. "We are living in the longest period of peace the European continent has ever seen," said Angela Merkel. The much discussed euro, continued the Chancellor, is also a guarantee that Europe can continue to live in peace. History shows that countries that share a currency do not go to war against one another.

More innovation for new prospects

Angela Merkel also, however, pointed out that many people feel that the pledge of prosperity, for which Europe has always stood, has not been honoured in recent years. "Too many people are out of work. There is too much hopelessness." The countries of Europe are facing the question as to how economic competitiveness can be balanced with social redistribution and equity.

The Chancellor thus called on the students, "If we are not innovative, if we do not invent the best things in the world that others want to follow, we will not be able to deliver on our pledge to bring prosperity to our countries. We can promise as much as we like, but in the final analysis we can only distribute what we have produced, sold and researched. That is why innovation is so important."

During a tour of the institute, the physicist Angela Merkel was impressed by the research activities of the Ph.D. students. It is good to see that young people are willing to be measured against the world’s best and to make interesting discoveries, she said. "I think that the world of science today is really exciting and fascinating, and Europe makes an excellent impression in this field," said the Chancellor.