In the eyes of citizens

More just institutions thanks to the Constitutional Treaty: this, according to STEFAN LUNTE , is the long-term objective of the “ambitious project” published in recent weeks by the European Commission, with the title “Project Citizen”. In the June number of “Europe infos”, monthly of the Community of the episcopates of the European Community (COMECE) and of the Catholic Office of Information and Initiative (OCIPE), Lunte analyses the state of the process of European unification and integration which, according to the President of the Commission José Manuel Barroso, cannot proceed without concrete and visible results in the eyes of citizens, even if, warns Lunte, “the Commission has not spelt out what results it has in mind”. The future of the EU, underline other contributions to the magazine, is also linked to inter-institutional cooperation and the participation of the Churches and civil society. AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT. Although they had “announced for 2007 a re-examination of the single market, geared to the future”, says Lunte, the European Commissioners have only taken “a few concrete measures”. In the social field, he notes, the Commission has planned, again for next year, a “Project on access and solidarity” which “still remains rather obscure”, while “it would be desirable if it were to propose concrete measures in support of the families” of the continent and “of citizens’ access to basic social services”. In the field of “liberty, security and justice” the European Executive, points out Lunte, “suggests that the possibilities provided by the Treaty of Nice be fully used and that the decision-making mechanisms be simplified”, thus indicating the adoption of a “pragmatic approach to the question of the European Constitutional Treaty”, since, according to the journalist, “there are ever less political leaders in Europe who are counting on its entry into force”. And with reference to the “political declaration” that the heads of state and of government ought to adopt by March 2007 “to take a further step forward towards the unity” of the continent, Lunte concludes: “This declaration on the values and objectives of Europe will undoubtedly provide an occasion to refer to its Christian roots”. THE MEETING OF PARLIAMENTS. The meeting of deputies of the national parliaments and of the European Parliament, held on the occasion of Europe Day (Brussels, 8/9 May) to debate the future of the continent, is discussed by HENRIK LESAAR. There were four workgroups: the European Union in the world; globalization and European economic and social model; liberty, security and justice; and the future financial resources of the Union. The aim of this meeting was increased cooperation between parliaments, though, as Lesaar notes, the Presidents of the Austrian, German and Finnish Parliaments demurred. While expressing satisfaction about the holding of the meeting, Lesaar stresses that “dialogue with civil society has unfortunately been obscured”. “Plan D of the European Commission – he points out – in fact envisaged a conference of representatives of civil society to be held on 9 May”, but the Commission “abandoned this and produced its first conclusions without having first consulted” citizens. “Of course – Lesaar concludes – cooperation between parliaments is fundamental for the future of Europe”, but the real “guarantee of this future” is the “proper participation of all the forces of society, Churches included”. INTER-INSTITUTIONAL COOPERATION. “Pan-European cooperation undeniably remains a fundamental question. The Council of Europe and the European Union are the most significant examples of this”. In the view of JOANNA LOPATOWSKA-RYNKOWSKA, the Juncker Report of last spring “seemed to open a new chapter” in relations between the COE and the EU: “the step from reflection to action”. The document, which bears the name of the Luxembourg prime minister who presented it, clarifies the different prerogatives of the two institutions, but calls them “complementary” and “essential partners”. Eight fields are taken into consideration by the Report: cooperation in terms of human rights, democracy, rule of law, European policing, European values, common programmes, inter-institutional cooperation and EU membership of the Council of Europe. We need – underlines Lopatowska – “to devise a new type of reciprocal relations”, giving importance ( inter alia ) to common programmes aimed at the promotion of human rights and the independence of the judiciary”. We also need to “improve inter-institutional cooperation and make it more effective”, and “reinforce inter-parliamentary cooperation between the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament”. A further question, and perhaps the most important for the journalist, is “EU membership of the COE, which ought to take place by 2010”.