A few days ago, I received an official response from
European Commissioner Thierry Breton on a link between the EU's economic
recovery and the continuation of European integration.
The French commissioner emphasized that the crisis had
strengthened the position of those who wanted "more Europe". According
to him, populists in various European countries have been forced to remain
silent. He was also adamant that Europe has coped better with the crisis
than the United States, where he said there has been "chaos".
“Asked
by European communication expert Dan Luca whether the EU does not
need a third major project, following the success of the internal market and
the single currency, Breton said the Commission believes its new proposals
are the basis for another historic breakthrough”.
To ensure the recovery is sustainable, level,
inclusive and fair for all Member States, the European Commission is proposing
to create a new recovery instrument, Next Generation EU, embedded
within a powerful, modern and revamped long-term EU budget.
The symbolism is brilliant, "the EU for the next
generation" and projects us a little in the optimistic atmosphere of 6
months ago when Ursula von der Leyen presented her priorities for the mandate.
It was then mentioned that the talks on the future of the EU would be
relaunched. The date of the Conference on the Future of the EU was announced: 9
May 2020. The Corona crisis has frozen this project, but various voices call
for a relaunch
of the procedure, which should be adapted to the current context.
“The mechanism for fixing the European
society has already been instituted. It is the Conference on the Future of
Europe. What the EU needs to do is to transform this from a simple debate to
something more meaningful, more fundamental and more radical. Today we are
facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Tomorrow we may face an even bigger challenge.
Let’s think about this crisis as a chance for the EU to lead the world to a
better future, for all, together. To lead the way to a stronger, more
prosperous Union. The way to a crucial international actor.”
An alliance between institutions (European and
national), civil society and business is needed.
European
Movement gathered now the views of some of the most senior figures involved in
the debate, like Commission VP Šuica and Ambassador Clauss, Germany’s
Permanent Representative to the EU, to explore where to go next for the
“Conference”.
European
Federalists urge European Institutions, Member States and the upcoming
Presidency of the Council of the EU to ensure the Conference on the Future of
Europe can start as soon as possible. “The
scope of the Conference should be broad and aimed at developing policy
priorities that matter to citizens, as well as institutional proposals,
including proposals for treaty change or a new treaty framework. The agenda and
scope of the Conference must include both a critical assessment of the balance
of competences between the EU and Member States, including the fiscal
competencies of the European Union, as well as a thorough reconsideration of
the balance of powers between the Institutions. The prospect of a European
Constitution should be considered”. Read here the full
statement of the Future of Europe CSO Network.
Not every opportunity automatically turns into
success, and the EU knows that. It is important to have a realistic and
inclusive plan. A strategic approach related to economic recovery,
digitalization, environmental protection, but also connected to global
multilateralism is needed. The discussion on the future of the EU must begin
institutionally now and should be rapidly extended to civil society and
business. Only together we can succeed…
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