Europe, quo vadis?” “

“The dream of the founders of the European Community is now a reality. But, after the failed referenda in France and Holland, the Union of the 25 is faced by an uphill task. We need to re-think Europe, so that growth may become qualitative, as well as quantitative”, says JOSEP BORRELL , President of the European Parliament. He poses several questions: “Who are the Europeans today and what are the frontiers of Europe? What are the objectives of integration and the role of the EU in the world? Is diversity compatible with unity and vice versa?”. These questions gave rise to a lively discussion at a recent seminar in the Parliament in Brussels: a seminar in which some twenty leading political personalities in the 25-member EU and former heads of national and European institutions took part. “LET EVERYONE HAVE THEIR SAY ON THE CONSTITUTION”. The seminar, with the title “Europe, quo vadis?”, was promoted by the European Parliament in partnership with the Foundation of the Charlemagne Prize. JACQUES DELORS, President of the European Commission between the Eighties and Nineties, declared: “Europe is a reality and a power on the world scene. Yet, Europe still has to solve several crucial problems: it needs an integrated economy after the advent of the single currency; it needs to express a single voice in foreign policy; and excessive disparities in the social field need to be ironed out”. According to Delors, “Europe needs to set itself attainable objectives”. And it must do so by “placing the emphasis on solidarity and by encouraging cultural diversity. If necessary, Europe should proceed at differentiated speeds”. “I recognize – added the French politician – that my country and Holland have said ‘no’ to the Constitutional Treaty. But it’s not right, for this reason, to interrupt the process of ratification: everyone should be given the chance to have his or her say. Only then can a decision be taken on how to continue the constitutional process”. “SOCIAL LEGITIMATION” FOR THE EU. “A pause for reflection was essential for a European Union that has stalled. But it seems to me that this period resembles more a Spanish siesta than a period of constructive debate”, commented GUY VERHOFSTADT, Belgian premier, who insisted on the “need to revive the process of European integration”. In particular Verhofstadt urged that “a common strategy be developed in the social and economic field”, that “a common space of security and liberty be reinforced” and progress made towards “the coordination of external policy”. The former Norwegian premier Gro Harlem Brundtland explained for her part: “We all need a united Europe, a real union of peoples. Even those who, like me, observe this process of integration from outside, recognise its importance”. According to Brundtland, “the legitimation of the EU must be social as well as institutional. The EU is thus called to respond to the needs of citizens in the field of employment, pensions, price stability, the environment and security… All this can only be achieved if the EU is based on shared values and remains open to the world”. According to Jürgen Linden, president of the Foundation that has awarded the prestigious Charlemagne Prize since 1950, “Europe will go nowhere unless it is able to speak to the young, and unless it tries to involve them in this opportunity that concerns their very future”. EASTERN EUROPE PRESSES FOR GREATER solidariTY. “I wouldn’t say that Europe is in crisis. I think, on the contrary, it’s in a far-reaching phase of transformation. Of course the need to revive the integration process is clear”, said Gyula Horn, former Hungarian prime minister, who urged “a greater spirit of solidarity towards the new accession countries”. His observations were more specifically aimed at the current negotiations on the EU budget. “In Eastern Europe people are looking to Brussels with great hope, but we need to obtain concrete results, if poverty is to be eliminated, and the disparities between States are to be evened out. In this way the idea of Europe itself will be strengthened”. Emilio Colombo, former Italian premier and former President of the European Parliament, added an historical note to the discussion: “Given my age, I could tell you about half a century of crisis in Europe, beginning with the failure of the European Defence Community in the early Fifties. But I am also a witness of how Europe has always found in itself the resources to overcome its crises. We need to foster new ideas, involve citizens more and insist on the ratification and entry into force of the Constitution”. THREE ENEMIES TO BE CONFRONTED. Leo Tindemans, a convinced federalist, and Belgian premier in the Seventies, specified three “great enemies” of European unity: “nationalism, populism and economic protectionism”. In this situation, “the Commission must assume responsibility for reviving the Union, by turning to account its decision-making power” to enable the 25 to respond to the challenges of economic globalization and terrorism and “give certainties to citizens”. Jean-Luc Dehaene, former vice-president of the Convention, for his part, stressed “the need for a Constitution that would give solid foundations to a Union weakened” by national interests. ———————————————————————————————————– Sir Europa (English) N.ro assoluto : 1437 N.ro relativo : 86 Data pubblicazione : 14/12/2005