The necessary strength

The institutions of the European Union, they too, are taking a holiday. The work of Parliament, Commission and Council will resume between the end of August and the first days of September. The agenda that awaits them on their return is already packed, characterized especially by many “open questions”, equal in number and importance to the issues raised in the first half of the year and the pledges explicitly made to citizens by the institutions themselves.It is enough, in this sense, to recall some passages from the “Conclusions” of the European Council in June. “The EU has tackled the global financial crisis with a common determination and has done what is necessary to safeguard the stability of the Economic and Monetary Union – says the document -. In particular, an agreement was reached in May on a support package for Greece, a European mechanism of financial stabilization and a financial stability fund. We have laid the foundations for far stronger financial governance”. “We remain determined – continue the Twenty-Seven – to adopt all the necessary measures to restore our economies to the parameters of sustainable and job-creating growth”. To this end the summit adopted the Europe 2020 strategy: “It will promote the realization of structural reforms… In the months ahead we will evaluate in greater depth how to mobilize specific policies to unblock the EU’s potential of growth, beginning with innovation and energy policies”. The same document refers to the “common determination to ensure budget sustainability” and “financial stability, and avoid shortcomings in the regulation and supervision of markets”. It also underlines the “urgent need to reinforce the coordination of our economic policies… We await with interest the final report that the task force will present in October”. The document also makes a number of other promises and commitments in terms of meeting the Millennium Development Objectives (UNO Conference in New York), combating climate change (Cancun summit), and strengthening collaboration within the G20.The “internal fronts” (employment, welfare, social inclusion, security, immigration, budgetary reform, reform of the common agricultural policy, cohesion and support for backward regions…) are proceeding in parallel with the “external” fronts: relations with USA, Russia and China; establishment of the EU diplomatic service; negotiations with Turkey, Croatia, Iceland, Macedonia and the other Balkan countries; relations with the States of the Mediterranean and the Middle East; the major troublespots of Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq; Africa and cooperation with the poor countries. To be able to keep abreast of all these “fronts” a firm and cohesive EU is needed: an EU convinced that its strength is multiplied by common action (though with due respect for national specificities and the principle of subsidiarity). It’s no accident that the most convinced pro-Europeans – ever more numerous in Brussels and Strasbourg – insist on reinforcing EU links and policies, adopting the “community method” with greater determination and asking national governments to moderate their tactical ploys, particular interests and mutual mistrust. A recognized political leadership, able to take decisions, would constitute a further favourable element, especially if accompanied by more widespread respect for EU rules (an issue debated in Italy in recent weeks with particular regard to the “Sky case” and “milk quotas”). The summer break may help to attenuate the tensions that have accumulated in recent times and hopefully suggest a return, after the holidays, to a more pronounced pro-European approach, aimed – beyond all the rhetoric – at giving effective responses to the hopes and needs of citizens of the Union.