However, "if the first fifty years of the EU have been dedicated to the European agenda – to our own political and economic development and reform – the next fifty years will also put the global agenda at the forefront of our attention."
Pievēršoties Eiropas Parlamenta nākotnei, priekšsēdētājs atzīmēja: "Lisabonas līgums nostiprinās mūsu tiesības.