Brussels, 31/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 31 May, the Round Table of European Industrialists (ERT) published an open letter to the press, in which it appeals for renewed trust in Europe, stating, shortly before the British referendum on a possible Brexit, which will be held on 23 June, that a “Europe without the UK would be weaker, just as the UK would be weaker outside Europe”.
Expressing concern over the decline of the European Union and its fundamental values, the great many crises and, now, the threat of Brexit, ERT said that Europe is now “at a crossroads”. However, the Round Table of European Industrialists still has a very clear message: “Europe must remain united and pull together”, given the scale of its problems.
The association of the leaders of the EU's largest multinational companies believes that Europe has “benefited immeasurably from our European Union, (which) has been a force for positive change - economically, socially, in terms of security and in terms of the quality of life”. It goes on to stress that in the EU, the purpose of which is to create the conditions necessary for economic growth and job creation, businesses and citizens have prospered.
ERT cites a number of facts to substantiate this: - the EU is the world's largest economy and largest trading bloc; - half a billion people within the EU generate GDP of €14 trillion; - the EU accounts for 16% of the world's imports and exports; - market liberalisation (telecoms, airlines and energy) has brought greater choice, competition and effectiveness, etc.
Despite this considerable progress, ERT remains focused on the challenges facing the Union. “The work is not finished in addressing the challenges the European Union faces”, it stresses. It highlights the urgent and vital need to cooperate on cross-border security in order to fight terrorism and tackle the causes and consequences of the refugee crisis. ERT also raised the issue of an “integrated and efficient” energy market to secure energy supply and lower carbon emissions, as well as the question of education and training.
The Round Table of European Industrialists firmly believes that no member state is capable of meeting these challenges alone and calls for a joint approach. With regard to this, ERT stresses that “the demand for the people and nations of Europe to work jointly through the European Union has never been higher”, in order to make the changes needed to “improve the living and working conditions of the people of Europe”, it adds. (Original version in French by Maëlle Didion)