To give the EU new energy, "project, caution, historical vision and beliefs are necessary": it was the opinion of a historian from University of Lyon, Jean-Dominique Durand, expressed in the editorial of the next issue of Sir Europe (old.agensir.it). While the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, expressed his "dissatisfaction" for the outcome of the European summit which has just ended in Brussels, and talked about "mean fallings back" and the need for "brave and consistent initiatives", Durand admitted that "Europe is going through a crisis"; however, the "pessimistic vision" spread by media "is not to be shared". Therefore, he invited us not to forget "the path covered in the fifty years from the Treaty of Rome", which "in less than one half of a century" changed the Old Continent into "a space of peace, freedom and democracy". "Certainly he admitted, – there are different views", and "the limits of construction are clear", but "it is also clear that progresses and accomplishments were enormous". Furthermore, one should not forget that progressive expansions create "remarkable problems of balance and functioning". "Project, caution, historical vision and beliefs are necessary", concluded Durand, because "in a world full of tragedies and violence, Europe is a model and an example", and "the Europeans are their protagonists".
