As we look forward and build a vision for Europe we need to turn our gaze to mistakes made in our not-so-distant past to avoid repeating them when addressing the challenges we face today. That was the theme of a speech given by European Movement Secretary General Petros Fassoulas at the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP) conference in Santander on Tuesday 1 September on the ‘historical significance of the EU’, which was co-organised by EM Spain.

@PetrosFassoulas SG of @EMInternational about #Brexit: we have to mobilize pro Europeans in #UK. pic.twitter.com/Z7fc7n812r

— Movimiento Europeo (@MovimientoEurop) September 1, 2015

Today’s endeavours know no boundaries, they tower above nations and they represent the biggest threat to our Continent in generations. Whether it is the economic headwinds of a globalised world, war and instability at our door step, massive population displacement due to conflict, climate change, competitions for resources, extremism, or international crime, Europe needs to pull together if it is to succeed in this changing and volatile world.

"We must not give up on our #EU journey the moment the road becomes rocky and uphill." – @PetrosFassoulas pic.twitter.com/KJJeLg2vyf

— European Movement (@EMInternational) September 1, 2015

Now more than ever the EU is needed as the platform upon which European nations can build common solutions. What is needed today are brave decisions and solidarity for those in need. Above all we need a European spirit of unity to combat the forces of division. Nationalist and extremists feed on peoples fear; they exploit it rather than address concerns. It is up to us to provide a vision that addresses those fears and offers people a positive outlook for their future. Because today’s fight is about the kind of Europe we want to live in, it’s about the very soul of the European project. It can only succeed if Europeans are inspired not just to be part of it, but to drive it forward with ambition.