Remarks by Commissioner Hahn at the inauguration of the new ‘Mercier-POST' building in Luxembourg

"Check against delivery"

Your Royal Highness, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, esteemed guests, dear colleagues,

Today, as we inaugurate this state-of-the-art building in the heart of the City of  Luxembourg, we stand at the intersection of history and future, of tradition and innovation. This is not just a simple building; it is a symbol of the enduring partnership between the European Union and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and of our shared commitment to innovation in Europe.

I am deeply honoured to welcome His Royal Highness, Grand Duke Henri, whose presence today underscores the significance of this moment. Luxembourg's unwavering support has been instrumental in reaching this milestone.

Your Royal Highness, your dedication to fostering an environment of cooperation and innovation resonates deeply with the mission of the European Commission.

Housed within these walls are two pillars of our strategy for a Europe fit for the digital age: the Publications Office of the European Union, and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology. These entities are at the forefront of our efforts to embrace a safe, secure, and sustainable digital transformation that puts people first.

The Publications Office plays an indispensable role in upholding the EU's commitment to the rule of law. By authenticating and publishing EU law to give it legal effect, the Publications Office has a critical place in the EU's law-making process.

Through publication, EU law becomes applicable to all, allowing citizens and businesses to benefit from all opportunities the EU offers. More generally, the Publications Office is a centre of excellence in the field of data, information, and knowledge management, with artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies powering its work. The Office's commitment to transparency, trustworthiness, accessibility, and service orientation is crucial in building an informed and empowered society.

The Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content, and Technology, which is partly housed here in Luxembourg, is tasked with driving Europe's digital economy forward, ensuring that our digital policies, technologies, and infrastructure meet the needs of citizens and businesses alike. The Directorate-General plays a key role in building our digital single market and making Europe a global leader in the data economy and in cybersecurity. It promotes the EU's human-centric model of an innovative, fair, and sustainable digital transformation, which respects our democratic values, our fundamental rights, and cultural diversity.

This building therefore, represents more than just a new workplace!

With its sustainable design and excellent environmental performance – gold standard of DGNB  - it is a perfect embodiment of our ambition to achieve a digital transformation that works for all, while at the same time advancing towards our climate goals – and all this with Luxembourg as a key partner in this journey.

As we celebrate this opening, we reaffirm our commitment to our shared mission and the work ahead. The challenges of the digital age are complex and perpetually shifting, but with the collaboration and dedication of all the colleagues who walk these halls, we are well-equipped to meet them head-on.

Thank you, Your Royal Highness, for gracing us with your presence today. Thank you to the government and people of Luxembourg for your hospitality and partnership. And thank you to all who have contributed to making this day possible.

Together, let us embrace the opportunities that this new building represents, and continue to work towards a well-informed and digitally empowered Europe for all.