The possible future

He did not disappoint expectations. NICOLAS SARKOZY , President of the French Republic, invited to give a speech to the European Parliament on Tuesday, 13 November, tackled the main problems that regard the future of the EU, without ignoring an analysis of the “crisis” that led to the rejection of the Constitution by the electors of France and the Netherlands.“BUILDING EUROPE FOR AND WITH HER PEOPLES”. Introducing the guest, the President of the Parliament in Strasbourg, HANS-GERT POETTERING , underlined the political activism of the new French President on the international scene and his “renewed attention” to the European Community. “A great deal of expectation was raised by his presence in the EP and by his speech”, explained the German politician, recalling he had been the first non-French guest to be invited to the Elysée after Sarkozy’s nomination. The President began by declaring: “We need to take the construction of Europe for what it represents for the peoples of Europe as a whole: the expression of a political, moral and spiritual need”. In his speech Sarkozy touched on numerous questions, ranging from the historical origins of integration to the new Treaty of Lisbon, though without ever citing the Portuguese capital and insisting on the term “simplified treaty”. “I wish to thank you – he explained – for enabling me to renew before you the European commitment of France and to tell you that the French rejection of the Constitution was not the expression of a rejection of Europe, but the expression of a greater need for it”. Sarkozy said that the EU “cannot be merely an administrative or legal machine”. “Europe can only be built with its peoples; it cannot be built without them or against them”. SALUTARY CRISIS. “We know that rejections are the visible sign of a profound mistrust in Europe which has long gained ground in the hearts and minds” of EU citizens, continued Sarkozy. In this sense, the crisis that was its result, “the gravest in the history” of the Community, was “salutary”, for it obliged us to reflect on the present and future of the Union. According to the French President, the impasse could be overcome “thanks to the debate” and to the dialogue between different positions: “Europe will die – he added – if we force ourselves to submit to a uniform thought”. That’s why Sarkozy explained that he believes in European democracy and “had always preferred the majority rule to that of unanimity”. He had therefore “campaigned for the extension of the majority vote in the simplified treaty”. Addressing the assembled MEPs, the President spoke of the “failure of the constitutional project”, and of the success of his proposal to pass to a “simplified treatise”, a “less ambitious project”, on which it was possible to reach an agreement with everyone.A COMMITTEE OF WISE MEN. But if “the simplified treaty resolves the institutional crisis, it does not overcome the moral and political crisis of Europe”. Sarkozy, in his speech to the EP, emphasized that the agreement reached at the summit in mid-October “permits the EU to act, and to decide, and yet it does not say for what objectives and goals. It does not say what the future Europe will be, or how it will contribute to improving the life of citizens”. To revive discussion on these issues, “I proposed the establishment of a committee of wise men to reflect on the possible futures of the EU. In particular, insisted Sarkozy, “it’s essential to reason on the European identity and on national identities” at a time when they are “going through a crisis linked to globalization and the commercialization of the world”. For this reason, Sarkozy invites the EU to “defend its spiritual values” and the “values of civilization”, as well as “cultural diversity”. He also emphasized the need to protect human rights and to counter unfair competition and dumping. SILENCE ON TURKEY. In his speech in Strasbourg, Sarkozy never once mentioned Turkey or the negotiations underway with Ankara, but the question cropped up “behind closed doors” in his meeting with the heads of the parliamentary groups. Instead he dwelt on some “priorities” of the Presidency of the EU that France will hold in the second half of 2008, during the phase of the ratification of the Treaty: climate change, competition (seen “as a means, not as an end”), military defence, “re-foundation of the common agricultural policy from 2013”, immigration and Schengen area (“an EU policy on immigration is needed”). Sarkozy re-affirmed his determination to “restore France to the heart of European integration”. To this end he intends to “reinforce the Franco-German friendship”, “convince Great Britain to ratify the treaty”, and “dialogue with the countries of Eastern Europe, which have the same rights as the founding countries”. The French President lastly declared his determination to continue the reforms begun by Paris: “When France goes well, the whole of Europe reaps its benefits”.