Here we are: the EU is now in the operational phase of the far-reaching transformations that it will be undergoing. Looking ahead, a lot of things will be changing in the way Europe operates.
Way to euro is signposted. With regard to one essential aspect, that of the euro and economic governance, the way ahead has now been flagged. The first “European semester” for coordinating national budgets and national economic policies has been set out. The principles for managing the euro have been established and the limitations and modalities for financial support to countries experiencing difficulty have been defined and will be totally operational by 2013. Barely a year ago, nothing existed at all. In June, the edifice will be completed with the application texts and above all, the putting into practice of the specific strategy for growth and jobs. The Parliament, the Council's co-legislator for regulatory texts, is leaving its imprint. The social dimension and the dimension on economic growth contained within this construction are barely known but they are there, even if some of the political organisations appear to be ignoring them or do not have much confidence about their effectiveness. It is up to the European institutions and even more so, up to the member states, to get these aspects of economic governance up and running because in the area of growth and social protection each country is still largely responsible for its own behaviour, although European support can make a difference.
The mechanisms, however, simply constitute the instrument available and what really counts is how they are used. Everyone is aware that despite receiving support, the results for some eurozone countries can still not be predicted.
Financial perspectives' essential role. Although the economy/euro section has been broadly defined, this is not the case for the new rules and new instruments that are, for the most part, still being negotiated. Establishing any uniform starting point is far from easy, whether this involves defence, where nothing truly Community-orientated exists, or current common policies, such as agriculture and cohesion policies, whose update and function will largely depend on new financial perspectives.
The Community institutions have been subject to bitter criticism for their inertia regarding defence but this is quite wrong because they have no military clout at all and member states do not appear to be in a hurry to put the instruments into practice that would allow them to act together in the Community framework.
Sharp disagreement at all levels. On the other hand, the institutions and member states are already engaged in broad discussions regarding the update of traditional areas of common policy. There have already been a number of sharp exchanges of views and discussions with regard to fundamental areas such as: - completing the extensive border-free market;- the new common agricultural policy (by safeguarding its foundations or partly dismantling it, according to the wishes of certain member states?); - cohesion policy (which beneficiary states are vigorously defending); - energy policy; - trade policy (which will undoubtedly become more realistic by strengthening reciprocity with third countries); - and support for developing countries. For each of these different aspects, the Commission is now presenting or will be presenting orientations and drafts. Far-reaching analyses and sometimes really tough-talking negotiations are being carried out between member states themselves and at the European Parliament. In addition to these factors, there is also sometimes passionate support provided by the economic and social sectors, which have their voice in the different advisory bodies, in the EU itself (Economic and Social Committee, Committee of the Regions) or in specific organisations representing different categories.
No uniformity exists for the different orientations and this is quite normal because divergences can be located at two different levels: a) between the different member states, which do not share the same priorities, traditions or the same ways of life and whose governments themselves are far from having any kind of uniform political orientations; b) between the economic and social representatives, whose interests partially contradict each other. The definition of new European policies is therefore an arduous task but any pessimism should not be blown out of proportion because it is in this way that Europe advances and makes progress, by taking into consideration the different interests, as well as the general interest. The common general interest should prevail in certain areas but in others, reasonable compromises will be necessary. The European Commission' right of initiative will play an essential role, as will the European Parliament as co-legislator. In this context, the new financial perspectives will largely determine what happens in the future. The battle in this respect has now very definitely begun and has already provoked an impressive flourishing of ideas, projects and methods. This will be tomorrow's subject.
(F.R./transl.fl)