Beyond the spectacular reactions. No one says it, but it's the truth: after the dramatic events of Paris, no effective or lasting response would have been possible without the European Union. The spectacular demonstrations and ceremonies of the days that followed would have remained as such (including the doubts about the sincerity of certain participants), but without any solid follow-up. Specifically, it's the EU as a whole that continues to take action so as to respond to the deficiencies which made the drama possible.
The now famous republican marches in Paris and elsewhere are just a façade - a necessary and logical one, of course. After them, the European institutions can and must correct the weaknesses that contributed to last week's tragic events. EUROPE is pretty much alone in reporting on the EU's reactions to the weaknesses that have been observed, in an attempt to develop extensive, detailed, effective - and especially, operational - measures.
EU is crucial. The reality is simple: without the EU acting as a whole, nothing would be possible to fight the terrorism in Europe. Immediately after the attack in Paris, Mr Tusk, the president of the European Council, stated that terrorism had struck in Europe, without mentioning France. Any measure aiming to protect the member states and to strengthen controls at the EU's external borders must logically have a common nature. EUROPE publishes the detail of measures already taken, as well as those that are planned or under discussion - as regards, for example, strengthening the Schengen rules and the possibility of more easily keeping suspects at a distance, etc. It should not be forgotten that the European Parliament always has a say: decisions are based very largely on the Parliament's attitude. Opinions are sometimes divergent from one political group to another - which is, of course, logical and enables public opinion to become familiar with the different positions and to follow the developments. Once again, the democratic nature of the EU is respected.
Why this editorial? It is sometimes useful, indeed even necessary, to clarify the link between the different articles in EUROPE, to recall the significance of news that that is followed over the course of weeks, to highlight the overall importance of debates for which the link is not always evident.
I simply want to remind EUROPE's readers that the ongoing deliberations at EU level are the follow-up of the events that shook France and the whole world. Certain discussions, positions and decisions that are apparently far removed must be viewed from this unifying angle; they thus take on their full significance, including the obvious will of the EU to move as far away as possible from conflicts outside its borders.
This last aspect will perhaps merit specific analysis.
(FR)