Estonia, EU – Baltic States, Forum, Legislation, Society

"It's time for stand up for these principles," he said, stressing that these principles are not arbitrary, they need to be defended every day, and can not be taken for granted.

According to the Austrian head of state, we are looking at a multipolar world where the center of gravity will shift towards Asia and Europe must ask itself: Is it strong enough to withstand the challenges from the outside?

"Are we determined enough to defend our human rights, open societies and democracy?" he asked. In the coming years we will pass the torch of Europe to a next generation that will take these rights for granted, Van der Bellen said. "It is our duty to them to raise their awareness of what is at stake. None of the challenges that the planet is facing can be solved by one nation-state alone. Only within the EU will we be able to define and stake out our European interests and defend them globally," he said.

While no-one can tell what the world will be like in 100 years, we can make an honest attempt to set the course, Van der Bellen said. "Small-minded nationalism weakens all and every one of us. The more united we are, the better prepared we are to stand against it," he added. "Yes, diversity within the union is a treasure and we will keep our identities as Estonians, as Austrians. But to the outside, we have to act as Europeans," the president of Austria said.