We have gathered tonight to celebrate who we are and what we believe in, to celebrate our identity and our values, to celebrate this great continent and the Union that is making the world a much better place.

Allow me start with simple facts:

European Union is the Union of 500 million citizens, the largest economy in the world, with annual GDP worth 14 trillion euros.

It is the world's largest trading block, top trading partner for 80 countries, world's biggest donor of development assistance and humanitarian aid.