Five years do not always mean a lot in a development of an organisation. For CORTE, the past thirty-six months meant birth, growing-up and entering adulthood in a new, stronger form. Being there from the very start, I could watch the organisation grow and have now the honour and the opportunity to lead it in its next steps. I have experienced CORTE as an open, intelligent and dynamic stakeholder in the European road transport area and will - together with my team of much appreciated colleagues - make every effort necessary to contribute to a better transport framework in Europe, including its various aspects such as safety, security, environment, infrastructure, etc. I do not expect this being an easy task. Still, I am confident of our capabilities, our knowledge and our will to bring our experience into the complex policy-making processes.

Dear colleagues in the transport sector, I hope to hear from you and your initiatives. I assure you that my team will do their best to support your activities and will join your efforts in all their capabilities. The same, we shall come to you with our ideas to share and develop. For now, let us see what future brings and make the best of it.