At the end of Oliver Röpke’s mandate as President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Prime Minister Edi Rama praised his outstanding contribution to strengthening social dialogue and safeguarding workers’ rights. Rama emphasised that Röpke’s commitment has had a profound impact on the development of a more united and fair Europe, underlining the importance of joint efforts for a more sustainable future.
Prime Minister Edi Rama’s Address at the Plenary Session Concluding the Mandate of Oliver Röpke, President of the European Economic and Social Committee
Well, most probably I’ll disappoint many because I didn’t come here to preach about civil society, but I came here to honour someone who transformed me from a big sceptic guy about social dialogue to a believer in it.
This is why I felt like joining with decidedly mixed feelings that I have even now in this moment on the floor, because I know that this meeting marks also the end of Mr Oliver Röpke’s Presidency of the European Economic and Social Committee.
I believe that this is first and foremost a moment to celebrate the work of an outstanding leader, but also for sure to reflect on the EESC role under his stewardship as guardian of social dialogue, as a bridge between institutions and citizens, and stern reminder that Europe, its strength, lies in people, in participation, in dialogue, not in arguing with your Gods alone, as we say in Albania.
Dear Oliver, let me praise you because, without having had the privilege to meet you, I would still be thinking that social dialogue is a nice discussion about the weather, and your career has been forged in the fires of profound commitment to workers’ rights and social justice.
And from your early days in the very famous Austrian Trade Union Federation and the Chamber of Labour to heading the Brussels office of the Austrian Trade Union, you have been on the front line, defending fairness, defending solidarity, defending dignity in the workplace, like a kind of silent European superhero, but with better coffee breaks and fewer caps. This dedication of yours has inspired your EESC leadership and etched an indelible mark on the European project.
When you assume the presidency, Europe was navigating what can only be described as a perfect storm. Sometimes or always, people tend to forget what is in the past. But the pandemic’s fresh scars, Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine, are shaking our continent, economic headwinds, butchering households and businesses alike.
Albania, well, despite being in line for your membership since what feels like the Stone Age, and at that age I had all my hair black, we hadn’t cracked open a single negotiating chapter, and maybe we can catch up about it more later. And yet amid this volatility, you brought calm, clarity and conviction. You even converted, as I said before, a sceptic like me into a social dialogue believer. And isn’t that proof that miracles do happen? And they are often accompanied by a well-timed agenda item.
You reminded us that in tough times, social dialogue is a luxury, it’s an absolute necessity, like oxygen for a continent holding its breath. You amplified the committee’s voice as the voice of organised civil society, ensuring recovery, green transition and digital policies were rooted in inclusiveness, fairness and sustainability, not just spreadsheets and solemn notes. You also championed enlargement with a flair I particularly admire, dubbing us enlargement candidate members. A sympathetic rebrand that finally let civil society from EU hopefuls crush the advisory party. No more peeking through the keyhole, we are in the room contributing and occasionally suggesting that the coffee in Brussels can be better.
By looking outward to our region, neighbourhood and inspiring joiners, you ensured our voices echoed in here, not as faint whispers, but as full-throated partners in the chorus. You hammered home and reminded stubborn stakeholders that the EU isn’t just a single market, it’s a community of people where economic growth must tango with social justice.
Integration, measure it in human dignity, jobs, fair wages, equal opportunities and shields for the vulnerable because nothing says stronger, safer Europe like not leaving anyone behind.
You argued fiercely that the Western Balkans’ future is inside the Union, pulling our civil society into the debate like a generous host insisting on seconds at dinner. This isn’t at all from my side, mere political cheerleading. This is moral rocket fuel, and we are profoundly grateful. It’s especially vital for Albania and our turbocharged accession sprint. As you might have heard, just yesterday we flung open four more negotiating chapters atop the 24 already unlocked, eyeing a clean sweep by year’s end. Our new joint consultative committee, launched earlier this year, will supercharge social dialogue and craft policies that actually mirror what ordinary citizens want because, let’s face it, no one votes for more bureaucracy bingo.
Ladies and gentlemen, yes, it is about institutions, yes, it is about collectivities, but yes, it’s about leaders, of course, it’s about the joint work of many people, but in the end, it comes to someone who can bring people together and make something consistent and helpful for many through it. So, under Oliver’s helm, the EESC has been a consensual building machine with a side of trust served.
From empowering youth in decisions, and we just saw a little example, to bolstering SMEs, the unsung heroes of Europe’s economy, to humanising the Green Deal because saving the planet shouldn’t mean freezing in the dark, Oliver has proven Europe shines brightest when policies are co-authored by its citizens, not dictated from on high. The end of a mandate isn’t the end of a mission, and I can guarantee you, because I have had many mandates, it’s just the sequel set up.
So, your Presidency leaves a legacy of vision, courage, and dare I say humanity, with a humorous twist. You have framed Europe not as some lofty abstraction, but as a daily grind and glory for workers, employers, youth and families.
Institutions can listen, and dialogue can win. And unity is achievable even when division feels like the default setting. So believe me, I can very rarely do what I did here, but it all comes from my heart, and it all comes from the gratitude of all my team, because this place, the ESC, was the first place where we Albanians, second-hand citizens of Europe, felt equal citizens of Europe.
On behalf of Albania’s government, and speaking also strictly for myself, I thank you, Oliver, for your leadership, I thank you for your enlargement advocacy, and I thank you for your rock-solid faith in a Europe that’s strong because it’s just, and whole because it’s united, and if it’s not, well, at least we have got great stories for the retirement time dinners ahead. As we charge towards the future, the principles of your leadership will ignite new leaders inside this space, but also inside the EU and beyond the EU.
For Albania, on our accession trail, we tote the conviction you have fortified. Europe thrives only when whole, and holds only when united.
Thank you very much for everything you have done, and for everything you have given to us as human beings, and thank you to all the humans in this room for their heroic patience.
