Brussels, 27/06/2016 (Agence Europe) - Firmly believing that the Union offers a unique framework for peace and prosperity, the Foreign Affairs Ministers of the six founder countries of the European Union acknowledge that future European integration will depend on the level of ambition of each member state.
“We will continue in our efforts to work for a stronger and more cohesive European Union of 27 based on common values and the rule of law. It is to that end that we shall also recognise different levels of ambition among member states when it comes to the project of European integration. While not stepping back from what we have achieved, we have to find better ways of dealing with these different levels of ambition so as to ensure that Europe delivers better on the expectations of all European citizens”, said Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Didier Reynders of Belgium, Jean-Marc Ayrault of France, Italy's Paolo Gentiloni, Jean Asselborn of Luxembourg and Bert Koenders of the Netherlands in a joint statement on Saturday 25 June, following a meeting in Berlin.
Expressing their intention of taking the “discontent” of European citizens with the functioning of the EU as it is today “very seriously”, the ministers pledge to focus their efforts on the major current challenges calling for a European response: “ensuring the security” in the face of growing external and internal threats, managing the migration crisis and stimulating the European economy by promoting convergence and making progress towards the completion of the European Monetary Union.
Speaking the day after the victory of those calling for the United Kingdom to leave the EU (see EUROPE 11580), this initiative of the six founder countries was criticised by the countries which did not take part in the discussions. “The debate on the future of the EU should be held at the level of the 27 member states”, said the Czech Foreign Minister, Lubomir Zaoralek. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)