And yet it moves

The dynamics of the integration process can be best understood by overcoming preconceptions and with a certain amount of good will, thus enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the European Union. A good deal of patience is equally required to study the EU27 blueprints, projects and “strategies” that are being drawn up to counter the economic downturn, to address global challenges, to step up the bonds linking diverse peoples and States, to defend the “European social model” whilst seeking a constructive role (for peace, democracy and cooperation) on the world scenario. Constance and patience are critical to the understanding of cumbersome financial and statistical details, political understatements, “diplomatic” and legislative emphases characterizing the political documents, notably those produced by the EU, as exemplified – only to mention the most recent cases – in the “Conclusions” of the EU Heads of Government and State Summit held March 25-26, in the ongoing debate for the definition of the 2010 Budget and in the Commission’s 2010 Work Programme adopted March 31 which sets the scene of the five-year term of the second executive chaired by José Manuel Barroso.The Work Programme (60 pages, including some 40 annexes), highlights four “pillars”, 34 “strategic priorities” and another 280 proposals under consideration during 2010 and beyond. “The Work Programme reflects the Commission’s determination to lead Europe out of the economic crisis and deliver policy that bring direct benefits to citizens”, Commission President Barroso explained. “The Work Programme that has been adopted – added President Barroso – is an ambitious but realistic agenda for results”. The Program addresses a series of priorities: “Tackling the crisis and sustaining Europe’s social market economy”, centering actions on the Europe 2020 strategy analysed by the European Council of the end of March; “Building a citizens’ agenda which puts people at the heart of European action”; “Developing an ambitious and coherent external agenda with global outreach”; and finally, “Modernising EU instruments and ways of working”.At a closer glance, the first two chapters call for enhanced finance surveillance on public spending, stepping up financial market control, and concretizing the five Europe 2020 “flagship initiatives” regarding employment, research and development, polluting emissions, education, social inclusion and poverty. Likewise, the “citizens’ agenda” provides for measures regarding security and migration flows, revision of the working time directive, a Green Paper on the future of pensions, a new biodiversity strategy, and the EU’s disaster response capacity.Examples of the planned Commission initiatives include developing underpinning technologies, supporting youth mobility, combating poverty and addressing the Millennium Goals, Foreign trade, transport systems, agricultural policy, energy supply as well as developing backward regions. Projects and strategies equally address ongoing as well as new initiatives. It must be said that the process of transforming the projects into implemented initiatives to the advantage of citizens is complex and difficult path. And the results are not always assured. And yet Europe is moving. We must oversee that the right path will be undertaken; i.e. the path which responds to European history and to the values which have been inspiring its progress for the past 60 years, since the Schuman Declaration of May 9 1950 and the following Treaties.