A shared destiny

Ever since he was elected to the post of President of the European Parliament last January, HANS-GERT PÖTTERING has insisted on the importance of the two forthcoming events for the future of the EU: the celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding treaties of the European Community, with the Berlin Declaration on 25 March, and the European summit in June, “to determine the next political and institutional steps on the Constitution”. A German lawyer, 61 years old, with a long political career behind him, Pöttering has served as an MEP since 1979; for many years he served as leader of the European People’s Party in the EP; his authoritative leadership and also his great skills of mediation have been widely recognized. SIR has interviewed him as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome and his forthcoming meeting with Benedict XVI on 23 March. The European Union is about to celebrate its 50th ‘birthday’. It can look back on obvious successes, but also mistakes and false steps. What, in your view, are the main achievements in this half century of European integration?“The idea of united Europe was successfully realised especially after the signing of the Treaty of Rome 50 years ago. It became the exterior expression of one of the happiest periods our continental history. This year has a particular significance for us all: we are commemorating half a century of shared destiny, peace and prosperity. Such achievements as the common market, the single currency, European citizenship, the shared space of freedom, security and justice, or the fact of having overcome the partition of Europe, were virtually inconceivable until a few years ago”. What, on the other hand, are Europe’s main mistakes or failures?“The EU is still felt as something remote from daily life: we must bring Europe closer to citizens. People often believe that the Union is expanding too rapidly and that decisions are taken without account being taken of public opinion. The EU needs to act in a transparent manner and achieve concrete results that are useful for citizens”.In a globalized world integration between European peoples and states is considered a necessary and irreversible process. What decisions and actions are most needed to overcome the current impasse and re-launch the EU?“The EU today, with 27 member states and almost 500 million citizens, needs a reform. We must make progress in this direction because we cannot proceed with the existing Treaties. The Constitutional Treaty would enable the European Union to function better: that’s why the Parliament supports the current Presidency of the EU Council in its intention to salvage the substance of the Constitution, i.e. the first Part on the reforms and the second Part on values”. What significance do you attach to the Berlin Declaration?“On 25 March we will sign a solemn document to reaffirm our values and map out a course for the future. In the world in which we live there are new challenges such as climate change, terrorism, immigration and globalization that can only be tackled by the Europeans all together. It is this that the Declaration must assert”. Among the “fathers” of Europe we recognise various Christian politicians who imbued the Community with some indispensable values. Do you think there’s still a need today for the contribution of Christians to the building of a united Europe?“The founding fathers of the European project, such as Robert Schuman, clearly drew inspiration from Christianity. This heritage has had a decisive influence on our history and we find its essence in the Constitutional Treaty now undergoing ratification; principles such as the dignity of the person, respect for human rights, solidarity and subsidiarity are reflected in the Constitution. We also think of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, it too incorporated in the Constitution, with its specific attention to the protection of the family, children and the elderly… These are examples in which Christian values are reaffirmed. In this too I recognize that the role of Christianity was decisive in the development of the Community and must remain so in future”. What might be the role of intercultural and interfaith dialogue for the future of the EU?“Dialogue between cultures is one of the greatest challenges we face. We live in a continent in which three great cultures and religions co-exist: Christian, Jewish and Islamic. We also need stability and dialogue with our neighbours, especially with the Arab world; that means building an intellectual and cultural bridge across the Mediterranean. In recent years I have visited several Arab countries and become convinced of the need for this dialogue. We wish for cooperation, partnership and friendship. Dialogue between us must be based on tolerance and truth; for me this means respect for the convictions of others, while maintaining our respective identities. That’s the premise for peaceful co-existence”.