ECU speech

The highest ever number of delegates - over 45O - was recorded when the ECU held its sell-out annual convention in Brussels from 1 to 3 May 2008 at Le Plaza Hotel. With the assistance of Padre Eldemiro of RCU in Madrid, Philippe Druart was able to obtain the High Patronage of the European Parliament for tile event: ''For the first time in its Ion: history. The ECU has now received a kind of official acceptance among the European institutions. This must be the starting point of the harmonization of chiropractic in Europe,'' he said. The convention was officially opened by the President of the European Parliament,

Mr Hans-Gert Pöttering, in a video presentation. The following is a transcript of leis speech:

''Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, dear friends- Let me start by expressing my gratitude for the invitation that was extended to me by my friend Padre Eldemiro, Rector of Real Centro Universitario Maria Cristina and by M Philippe Druart, President of the European Chiropractors' Union (ECU) to address the participants of this distinguished gathering. Although I cannot be present, with the aid of modern communication technology, I have the opportunity to address you by means of this video message. ''The European Chiropractors' Union Convention that you are celebrating in Brussels has, this year, been granted the patronage of the European Parliament. This important event has a clear European dimension: it has an academic focus ant; reflects the concerns of the European Parliament which is well known for its commitment to health. The ECU was established to promote the development of chiropractic in Europe as well as to pursue the interests of chiropractic as a science and a profession by research, teaching, publications and legal activities. ''It is impressive that more than 45O delegates representing some 3,500 chiropractors from' all around Europe participate in the Convention. You represent the chiropractic profession on a pan-European level. (The 18 European national associations soon will become 20 once the two new candidate members - Hungary and Poland - join you. This year a European Working Party for chiropractic has been founded with members of the European Parliament. I welcome this fact. The Working Party will work towards the harmonization of chiropractic in Europe. I would like to conclude by extending my best regards and by wishing you aI1 a successful and fruitful annual Convention.''