“The EU has no alternatives”

“There are areas of major importance where Europe must have more integration, more unity. Where only a strong Europe can deliver results”. For this reason “I believe a political union needs to be our political horizon, as I stressed in last year’s State of the Union. This is not just the demand of a passionate European. This is the indispensable way forward to consolidate our progress and ensure the future”. In his speech on the State of the Union, delivered on September 11 at the European Parliament, the president of the Commission José Manuel Barroso, launched unequivocal messages for the future of the EU. Starting with an analysis of the economic crisis and the attempted responses in EU seats, the Portuguese leader formulated an integration project, based on deeper political union. Exiting from the crisis. “It won’t come back as it was before. This is not a cyclical crisis, but a structural one. We are in a transformative period of history”, which requires answers capable of meeting the present challenges. “We have to shape a new normal”, giving priority to the fight against unemployment, notably youth unemployment, alongside with economic growth and recovery”. Barroso explained to MEPs his strategy “to help Europe walk out of the crisis” which from the United States where it originated has been impacting the old continent for the past five years. In his speech on “the State of the Union” (a traditional event which next year will be delivered by the new president of the Executive, nominated after the elections for the renewal of the European Parliament in May 2014), the head of the Executive drew a balance of his mandate. He listed the results, the “enormous difficulties” that emerged during the long-lasting recession, called for the strengthening of community institutions and of the EU as a whole, since “Europe is not the cause of the crisis, but it represents a part of the answers to the crisis”, and underlined forthcoming commitments: banking union, single market, innovation and research aimed at boosting competitiveness, “concrete proposals for our energy and climate framework”, greater social cohesion, telecommunications, digital economy. A message to eurosceptics. The president of the Commission stresses that the dramatic consequences of the crisis impacted workers, families and public budgets. “A lot has been done to prompt recovery”. But “a lot still needs to be done. “We need to bring a truly European perspective” and “it’s time for Europeanists to make their voices be heard”. In the thought of Barroso Europe does not pose a threat to the “diversity” characterizing the 28 Member States. Rather, it traces a path that is respectful of the criteria of subsidiarity and that is based on solidarity, “in order to achieve those results that no single member State can achieve on its own”. He added: “Recovery is within sight. Let us not overestimate, but let’s also not underestimate what has been done”. “We are on the right track”. Then a message to the eurosceptics in all Countries: “Do you not agree with this Europe?” Well then, commit yourselves for its improvement, to provide answers to citizens’ expectations”. For Barros “it’s time to overcome purely national issues and particular interests. Let us commit ourselves to achieve concrete progress for Europe”, for its citizens and its enterprises. Then a message to eurosceptics: “You disagree with this Europe? Well then, devote yourselves to its improvement, to give our citizens what they aspire”. “Now is the time to rise above purely national issues and parochial interests: and to have real progress for Europe”, its citizens and businesses, Barroso said. Discordant opinions. “The EU is a stronghold for the defence of the rights and interests of European citizens”, said the Chairman of the European People’s Party Joseph Daul, who said he “substantially” concurred with Barroso also as relates to Member States governments’ responsibility in the delayed responses to the crisis and the failure to promptly adopt measures to curb unemployment. “They should first of all respect the commitments assumed on the multinannual budget”, to boost investment, youth training programs and aid to backward regions. Daul added: “2014 elections won’t decided between right and left, but between those believe in Europe and those who don’t”. Belgian Liberal-Democrat MEP Guy Verhofstadt, added: “There are many issues that need to be urgently carried out: to complete banking union, to create an integrated euro zone with a true financial government, to reflect on the extention of powers of the European Central Bank”. Criticisms were conveyed also by the Conservatives, the Greens, and by Group of the European United Left. Hannes Swoboda, from Austria, leader of the Socialists and Democrats, said: “Why don’t we speak of people instead of numbers…Of people without a job, of families in difficulty? Barroso only sees the glass half-full”.