Thank you for inviting me here and for offering me the opportunity to speak to you today. Europe – there has been nothing else on my schedule for the past couple of days! Yesterday, the Justice and Home Affairs Council convened in Luxembourg. One of the topics we discussed was the EU’s accession to the European Convention on Human Rights. I then visited the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for the first time, and this morning I was at the European Court of Justice. 

Now, here I am once again at the Academy of European Law. Europe permeates everything in this region where four countries converge – the heartland of the European vision. This is especially noticeable if – like me – you live in Rhineland-Palatinate, a state that regards itself as the centre of Europe, a good neighbour, and the cradle of German democracy. This has certainly left its mark on me, inspiring me to stand up for Europe and for democracy.

So I am of course delighted that the Academy of European Law has its headquarters here in Trier, just a short distance from the European Union’s judicial capital, Luxembourg. This is certainly no coincidence. Indeed, it was Europeans from Rhineland-Palatinate who came up with the idea for the Academy of European Law: the state’s then minister for justice Peter Caesar; the MEPs Horst Langes and Willi Rothley; and the specialist in European Law Peter-Christian Müller-Graff, from Trier.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

if the Academy of European Law did not already exist, there would be an urgent need for it today. Back in 1992, as the EU was expanding, the Academy was established to help smooth the path for the ever-growing scope of European legislation in the individual Member States. It became clear that lawyers, judges and other legal practitioners needed regular training and a discussion forum to help them stay abreast of the latest developments. Today, we rely on institutions and mediators like you to protect what unites us at the most fundamental level. So what is it that unites Europe, that makes us what we are? What is the essence of the European vision? It is not language; nor is it culture, which, while recognisably European in each of the Member States, is at the same time multi-faceted, fascinatingly rich and wonderfully diverse.

It is our shared values: the manner in which we aspire to co-exist. It is the dignity that we ascribe to every individual; it is equality, freedom and peace. These values are the glue that holds Europe together. The essence of what unites us is therefore the law, and the determination to uphold it: because we are devoted to protecting the rights and freedoms of all, including those of the most vulnerable, of minorities. This determination to uphold the law must prevail even when the law stands in the way of one’s own political objectives, or when majorities pursue goals that infringe upon the rights of the few. 

The law must be upheld even when it seems that law and reality are no longer in alignment. For the law can be changed, with an appropriate majority – but it must never become acceptable to disregard the law, ladies and gentlemen! The law must not be followed only when it is easy to do so. Respect for the law, for the decisions and rulings of the courts, whether at the European or the national level, is a civilisational achievement of our democracies. But this achievement is under threat both in Europe and worldwide.

In recent years we have seen constitutional courts come under attack from those who see them not as guardians of the constitution, but merely as instruments serving a supposed will of the people. We see how, in our societies, courts and judges are subjected to hate-filled abuse and threats; how judicial rulings are declared illegitimate in the name of this supposed will of the people. We see how, even in the world’s oldest democracy, the rule of law is coming under fire, with judges and lawyers facing increasing pressure. Incidentally, this is one of the reasons why we support the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyers, which we hope to become signatories of very soon. Nevertheless, I believe we can say that this pressure, both internal and external, is a reminder to us Europeans of precisely what we have in common: Our goal is a life shaped by the values of the law, of freedom and of humanity. 

We resolutely support Ukraine and stand united against the crimes committed there by Russia. We work together to ensure that these crimes against humanity are punished – so that international law can overcome this blatant challenge and emerge from it stronger than ever. It is my firm belief that we will succeed in averting all these attempts to weaken and undermine the rule of law. Democratic states will stand firm in the face of this pressure and overcome the threats they face. But in order for this to happen, action is needed. We must remain united, and we must counter these threats to the rule of law on many fronts. One of those fronts is the work that you do here, ladies and gentlemen, the ethos of the Academy of European Law!

Your achievements in bringing together and training law professionals from Europe and beyond are truly remarkable. Last year, over 9,200 judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other legal professionals from 66 countries – the highest number ever – took part in more than 195 training events and conferences. 

• You promote the uniform application of EU law in all Member States, as well as mutual understanding of different legal systems and cultures.
• In doing so, you strengthen trust between national judicial systems, paving the way for international cooperation.
• You promote EU fundamental rights, human rights, the rule of law, strategies for safeguarding the independence of the judiciary, and much more besides.
• You support EU accession candidates on their path towards the rule of law.
• You equip judicial experts for the challenges of the digital age, and for the use of AI and electronic evidence.
• You cater to the new generations of law professionals by adapting ERA training programmes for digital natives.
• And in all these efforts, you have worked in close cooperation with the European Court of Justice from the very beginning.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The work you do here inspires confidence. It empowers Europe to stand firm and to preserve its identity – a crucial part of which is the idea of the law, and of legal constraints on power.

Even so – however great the impact of your efforts may be: we can place our faith in them, but we must not rely on them alone. Each and every one of us must do our part – not just the legal professions, but every single citizen, young or old. Our task involves more than simply defending and promoting the concept of law and the dignity of all people. We must convince people of the importance and value of Europe in their everyday lives, and inspire them to stand up for the success story of prosperity, freedom and the rule of law that is Europe. I am profoundly grateful for your work, and wish you every success!

Thank you very much.