What’s behind the corner

In popular imagination, the European Union is probably associated with the economic crisis. Firstly, because the recession that originated in the United States over five years ago extended to encompass the old continent, causing the heavy domino effects are all familiar with. Second, the EU-bound crisis is due to the fact that responsibility – and hope – was reposed in Community institutions tasked with the adoption of effective counter-measures to prevent the free fall of the real economy, the financial instability the States and banks, the decrease in employment and investments… Indeed, Community Europe can’t be confined to the sphere of the economy, and this is expected to be confirmed during the New Year.Long-awaited signs of recovery. While 2012 was marked – in Brussels, Strasbourg, and in Member States’ capital cities alike – by the crisis and by the attempts to provide appropriate response, 2013 is expected to herald the economic recovery of enterprises, employment, private accounts and national budgets, notably from the second semester onwards. New economic commitments have already been tabled for the EU for the next twelve months. These include: the completion of the banking union, announced at the European Council of December 2012 along with economic and monetary union, placed on the agenda of the summit the forthcoming June. The fiscal compact is also expected to become a recurring theme (the Treaty which entered into force on 1 January envisages measures to balance the budget), the six-pack, two-pack, the "European semester" (co-ordination of economic policies), the ESM (a tool providing financial assistance to Member States). These instruments are promoted by the EU and are designed to curb the drop in production and trade, employment and consumption, and to strengthen public finances, both that of the Eurozone and of other European States which have decided to proceed on the road to rigor and of growth.Responsibility and far-sightedness. The positive elements in the economic and financial scenario that, according to experts, will come to the fore in almost all European countries, must be accompanied by decisive actions to support growth (through investment policies adopted by individual governments and supported by the EU budget), by strict measures to contain national debt and deficits, and by substantial domestic reforms. A favorable economic cycle, in fact, does not arise out of nothing. It must be encouraged, promoted, and developed. It is the yardstick to measure the responsibility and foresight of the leaders of Germany and France, the UK and Italy, Poland and Spain, Greece and the Netherlands, and of all the other States of the Union. Heads of government and State are required the willingness to work together, in mutual agreement, motivated by the goal of creating a Europe marked by development, wellbeing and solidarity, going beyond national interests which – as has been ascertained – are best defended with European measures than with an approach confined to national borders.The items on the agenda. The options still pending, those to be implemented, those to be created from scratch, will therefore have to come to a conclusion, overcoming hesitations or even the refusals by some countries regarding banking union, financial rescuing of debt-stricken countries, economic and monetary union, the EU 2020 Strategy and growth Pact (which are intended to boost employment, social inclusion and the fight against poverty). The same could be said of the negotiations on the annual budget of the European Union and those for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020, marked by distorted visions of European integration that are far from the spirit of the Treaties. At this very time of major difficulties, experienced by the "common home", the principle of solidarity that 60 years ago inspired the community building should be rediscovered.Reasons for hope, role of Christians. The New Year already bears encouraging signs. The recent Nobel award carries a major emphasis on the historical yet topical role of the Community as a factor of peace and cooperation in Europe; a model of virtuous relationships among the Member States appreciated in other continents. 2013 will be a year of a new enlargement: Croatia in July will become the twenty-eighth Member State, confirming a process of extending the borders of the EU as a sign of openness, of "unity in diversity", which looks with confidence to the entire Balkan region. Last but not least, 2013 is the European Year of Citizens: the EU places at the center of its – often arduous – path individuals, families, civil society, as well as their own rights. Europe must defend the life and dignity of every citizen, it must defend democracy as well as individual and social rights, the freedom of thought and religious beliefs as well as material development and international cooperation. It is for this Europe which – as indicated in the apostolic exhortation "Ecclesia in Europa" written exactly ten years ago by Pope John Paul II, recurrently referred to also by Pope Benedict XVI – that Christians are called to bear, within the democratic realm, their specific and convinced contribution.