” “"First and foremost, the EU should give institutional answers to the citizens’ problems, instead of focussing on an increased politicisation of the Commission or the EU Parliament": an assumption that is opposite to Simon Hix’s has been held in Fiesole by Stefano Bartolini, director of the Robert Schuman centre AT the IUE. "We are not sure that a more politicised Europe will be more attuned with the European public opinion. But a political debate that showed great tensions would probably create more conflicts within the EU institutions, making the citizens feel the presence of deep divides within Europe, instead of pointing at a path towards unity". Wide was the debate that followed the two opening speeches. Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the Strasbourg assembly, stated that "the EU is now a composite reality, with 27 member states and a population of 500 million". On these conditions, "I do not think we have to highlight any inalienable basic principles to build unity": first and foremost "solidarity" among the states and the peoples; then "patience, to understand complex problems, to look for shared solutions and pursue them factually"; in addition, "we need confidence in the EU", that in fifty years has already achieved substantial success but "has great, new challenges looming ahead". (to be continued)” “
