Dear Arthur,
I want you to know how very greatly I have valued your work since 1985 as a Vice President of the Commission of the European Communities. Yours has been an absolutely key role in Brussels. A great deal of the credit for initiating the drive to complete the European Community's single internal market goes to you. You have drawn to great effect on your depth of economic and fiscal expertise, and on your long experience both in government and in business. I have greatly admired the clarity and rigour of your analysis. Thanks to you, the creation of the single market—so vital for our competitive position—is now right at the top of the Community's agenda. But, more than that, your work will be to the lasting benefit of the entire Community.
I would like to add a particular word of thanks to Monica CockfieldMonica for her role. She has been a tower of strength to you.
It will be a sad day when you leave the Commission, but the Commission's loss will be our gain in that we shall be able to hear once again your wise advice and powerful speeches in the House of Lords. [end p1]
Thank you both again for all you have done. I look forward to working with you throughout the final months of the present Commission. Yours ever, Margaret