Quotations of Cecilia Malmström

Many (people) have already forgotten. Little by little, perspectives have changed. Stories have been misremembered. The danger of memories is that they do not die suddenly – they fade, and they are distorted. It's in all of our interests to constantly refresh them. -- Cecilia Malmström, Transatlantic trade in turbulent times, Brussels, 19 July 2018

Cecilia Malmström

Our ancestors survived the first industrial revolution, as hundreds of weavers' cottages were replaced by steam-powered factories. They adapted to change. And, just as in the 19th Century, the answer to the new globalised, industrial revolution is more investment, training and education to help people adapt. An adaptation that must take place as fast as technology evolves. Against this reality, trade deals are a handy scapegoat. But if we - incorrectly - lay all the blame for economic change at the door of free trade or globalisation, we won't end up solving our problems: we'll just delay the solution. -- Cecilia Malmström, The future of EU trade policy, Brussels, 24 January 2017

Cecilia Malmström

When one of our hunter-gatherer ancestors first exchanged a stone tool for his next meal, it was the beginning of trade and the beginning of the economy. And every time someone working in a company across Europe gets a paycheque today thanks to exports, that's an economic activity too. Commissioner Malmström, An integrated EU trade and foreign policy, 11 June 2015

Cecilia Malmström

Let me give you three examples. One interesting company is Partenope Fruits. It's a small firm in Buzau county that already successfully sells cherries to customers in New York. (…) Or take Denis Shoes. It's a family business in Vicovu de Sus, a town in North East Romania. (…) Finally, what about a larger company like Antibiotice SA? It's a global leader, for a number of key medicines and already ships its products to the US and around the world. It's a major Romanian success story. But it's another good example of how TTIP can help. Commissioner Malmström, TTIP: Why it is ggod for Romania, 16 October 2015

Cecilia Malmström

Maybe the most relevant bit of Franco-Swedish history for the day that the climate talks open here in Paris is this one. Anders Celsius - a great Swedish scientist - worked for a time here in Paris, cooperated with French scientists throughout his life and was rewarded with a pension from Louis XV. He also invented the Celsius temperature scale. So as our leaders do their best to reach the 2 degree target - they have Franco-Swedish cooperation to thank for the way they measure it! Commissioner Malmström, Trade and Global challenges, 30 November 2015

Cecilia Malmström

I understand that people are concerned. That's why I'm here in Austria for the second time since I took this job. President Juncker also knows it. The Members of the European Parliament know that. The political leaders not just of Austria but of the other 27 Member States of the European Union know it too. Commissioner C Malmström, Listening, learning, and changing, 22 February 2012

Cecilia Malmström