Addressing the commissioners, led by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Grabar-Kitarovic congratulated them on their appointments and on their "very ambitious and forward-looking program that will, I am certain, bring the EU into the future."
"As the very motto of our Presidency states, we are facing a world full of challenges," the President said, expressing her confidence that "when tackling all of those challenges together, we can come out better equipped to deal with them."
"That is why I believe that through four of our priorities we can truly create a better Europe, tailored to its citizens. Through Europe that develops, connects, protects and is influential in the world, we will support sustainable and inclusive development of the EU, while addressing the pressing issue of demographic challenges. We will advocate for cohesion and convergence, while tackling the urgent issue of climate change. We will promote initiative contributing to transport, energy and digital connectivity, also through the Three Seas Initiatives, while strengthening the security of our citizens and working on a comprehensive approach to migration.
"And last but not least, having in mind the transforming power of the accession process, we will continue to actively support the EU enlargement. We will strive to facilitate agreement on mutually satisfactory and sustainable future relations between the EU and the United Kingdom and endeavour to bring the negotiations on the MFF (Multiannual Financial Framework) to a close.
"But in order to achieve all of that, we need to stay united, putting our best foot forward, showing the world the European Union can truly be a global leader, promoting peace, democracy, solidarity and all the other fundamental values we live by, making our continent, but also the world a better place to live in.
"In conclusion, I would like to leave you with a quote by one of the founding fathers of the EU, Alcide De Gasperi, that I believe showcases the Union at its finest: 'The future will not be built through force nor the desire to conquer, but by the patient application of the democratic method, the constructive spirit of agreement and by respect for freedom,'" the President said.