Brussels, 10/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - In a speech at the University of Humboldt in Berlin, European Commissioner Michel Barnier stated in a personal capacity on 9 May that “we need nations to bring citizens to terms with the European project. We need nations to combat nationalism. And, at the same time, we need Europe to take control of globalisation and make it more human, in a word, to make it succeed.” These views summarise very succinctly the federalist tone of Barnier's speech, “Towards a New Europe”. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission.
Concerned by the rise of extremist and populist political currents in EU countries (as well as the indifference and doubts shared by citizens with regard to the usefulness and validity of the European project), the commissioner attempted to provide an answer to the question of what will Europe's standing be in the world in 2050 and what influence will it have? He declared that “for 60 years we have been building Europe for its citizens and in their name; but too often we have been doing it without them”. Nonetheless, the commissioner considers that “we need to demonstrate urgently once more that Europe has a purpose and that we have a common interest in being together” in these times of uncertainty and with less room to manoeuvre. He affirmed that the Union of Europeans is not an option but a necessity to make Europe's weight felt, for it to be taken into consideration and if it is going to be able to protect itself and be respected by giants such as the US, China, India and Russia. According to the commissioner, it is therefore time to put Europeans back at the heart of the project and “with hindsight, I think that it was a mistake to talk so much of the engine and mechanics of Europe instead of talking about the road we are travelling on together, the stages along the way, and its destination”. He asserted that it is necessary to make citizens aware about the challenges they are facing in the world today. These challenges include (see the others on page 5):
Demography and mobility. He emphasised that “Europe must continue to be a place which welcomes immigrants…this means an integrated population policy”. He said that this is indispensable if it wants to maintain a sufficient number of workers to sustain economic activity and growth and to fund pensions. He said that closing its borders would mean sacrificing the future to the present. Barnier highlighted the need for a Community policy and said that “we need to have a strong and humanist Community policy on immigration and integration” (development aid, asylum, grants to study) but also instruments that are able to control immigration flows (Frontex) in the main borderless Schengen area, which he described as constituting significant progress and which is of historic importance.
Energy and climate change. The Union must be the spearhead for stabilising the average global temperature rise of 2° C in 2050. Consuming better and polluting less - this is an imperative to help stimulate industrial research and development and create jobs in the clean energy sector in Europe, especially if the anti-nuclear movement gathers force. In this connection, he mentioned the European ecological tax (emissions trading), which would have to accompany this change. According to the commissioner the struggle against climate change requires the commitment of everyone and Europe should show the way ahead and not wait for the others.
The European economy. The commissioner explained that “in 2011, five of the ten most economically powerful economies in the world are European. Five out of twenty-seven! And if current trends continue, only one of those countries will remain in the top ten by 2050”. He said that if this trend is to be overcome they would need to ensure that the single market is fully operational in order to provide companies (particularly SMEs) optimum advantage to compete internationally and to encourage growth. This requires, however, restoring confidence that has been shaken during the crisis by: regulating the financial sector and penalising any irregularities; developing a “culture of budgetary stability” among member states in an effort to maintain mutual trust between them and cement monetary solidarity in the eurozone (he proposed that coordination for this governance be conferred on a Commission “High Representative-Vice President” in charge of economic affairs). He also said that Europe must invest more in education, innovation and training. The commissioner stressed that Europe should provide itself with a common fund for patents and a fund for venture capital for helping SMEs and promoting industrial strategies. He affirmed that courage would also be required to ensure reciprocity in its trade with the rest of the world.
Social cohesion is another condition for developing economic performance - ensuring, involving and protecting citizens facing poverty, unemployment and certain excesses that have been committed. This could be achieved by providing the EU with a system of governance that ensures that the common interest supersedes individual interests (supervising bonuses, taxes on financial transactions) and that re-orientates market mechanisms towards sustainable development. In this respect, public authorities have a fundamental role to play and must help to stimulate economic performance but also defend fairness and social cohesion, as well as providing guidance for economic actors and activities towards achieving collective goals chosen democratically and taking over the reins of the private sector, when this sector is failing (public services). The commissioner stated that “such a political Europe can only be constructed on the basis of a large, integrated market. But at the same time, this market will only consolidate itself and work better if citizens and businesses in every region take true ownership of it. And if Europe's young people, those most affected, once again find that social mobility is open to them”. The more political and institutional part of the speech is covered on page 5 of this publication. (F.G.trans/fl)