Beyond new agreements. I am not going to comment on the results of the European Council that has just come to a close because our readers have all the necessary information on this in the rest of today's edition of EUROPE. Instead, I would like to put these results in the context of the overall situation, with the aim of highlighting that - despite the currently fashionable pessimism - European construction is making progress. It is not easy for public opinion to realise this because the positive repercussions of these steps forward sometimes require lengthy waits and the citizen first perceives the effort and sacrifices that everyone must make.
What is more, those who have profited - and sometime still do - from the abuses that the EU is trying to correct, defend their privileges. To simplify things, we can divide them into three categories: (1) the authorities that provoked the ruinous debt of their country; (2) the national, regional or local administrations that profited from European funding by embezzling it to their own advantage; (3) the world of finance, including part of it that has used - and is using - its freedom of action in an ignoble and sometimes criminal way. The word “criminal” is not exaggerated because it really is the law that has dealt with this until now - some of those responsible are in prison or formally charged, criminal inquiries have been opened in different countries, and it really is a question of crime in several cases.
In this situation, what Europe is in the middle of doing is remarkable - over and beyond the decisions taken this week. I wonder if and when the EU has ever been through periods that were so full of results.
An example. A European patent has been in the making for 30 years. Its positive effects are so well acknowledged by everyone - even if two countries (Italy and Spain) have been left on the sidelines for linguistic differences - that this patent has the form of enhanced cooperation between 25 countries. Its favourable nature is evident.
“A historic decision that will stimulate innovation and growth”, said European Commissioner Michel Barnier. Professional circles welcome it - especially small and medium-sized enterprises - because the cost of a 25 year patent will on average be €5,000 instead of €30,000. A large majority from the European Parliament is just as in favour (even if the Greens/EFA Group is protesting because the European Patent Office is not an EU institution).
This step forward for Europe will only become operational on 1 January 2014. For the moment, most citizens are not aware of its importance.
The positive list is considerable. I don't intend to write a list of all the areas where the EU is moving forward - EUROPE does this regularly. The list is long and it particularly includes research and innovation; revised directives on public procurement involving reform of the current rules; the priorities for deepening the single market; the principled agreement on how to settle disputes without going to court; and co-financing actions to support the automotive industry.
The EU is also in the midst of boosting and revising its trade policy - in the sense of defending the equality of commitments from third countries more strongly and of monitoring the effective application of this reciprocity more strictly. It is a vast and demanding area that deserves deepening.
It is clear that the aspects mentioned above have no direct relation with the deliberations of the summit that has just ended. Yet they provide an overview of the Community reality and they justify - at least in part - the positive attitude that I hold with regard to the ongoing evolution in European construction.
(FR/transl.fl)