This crisis is a challenge to our conscience. It puts our committment to a hard test. - Henri I, Grand Duke of Luxembourg

The small size of our territory, as well as our turbulent history, has rendered us deeply conscient of our dependence upon those who surround us. I believe that this understanding has had the merit of keeping us from arrogance.

Recent events show us, however, that stability and peace on our continent are not permanent institutions. Quite the opposite.

Long has reality belied ethnicity-oriented conceptions of the Nation. In a country where resident foreigners make up almost half of the population, and where foreigners constitute two thirds of the working population, it no longer makes any sense. Wider conceptions of the Nation have come into being.