Brussels, 14/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The association "Confrontations" has sent a text entitled "Our Choices for Europe" to the Presidency of the Council of the European Union, the presidents of the Commission and European Parliament as well as the Prime Minister and President of the French Republic. The 80 signatories underpin the importance of the Laeken Summit from which they expect clarification over the choices of societies from which the Convention could draw up an ambitious reform project.
"In the current world, Europe must become a multinational community that innovates for justice, security and development", the text states, continuing: "This demands a lucid diagnosis, thus not complacent on the state of the Union. Despite many efforts, neither the capacity of common policies, nor the legitimacy or efficiency of the institutional system suffice. It is not in relation to the challenges of 1945 that reality needs assessing, it's in relation to the challenges of today. Following the shock of 11 September, Europe must not only reaffirm its values faced with terrorist violence. It has to prove that exists by renewing them and putting them into action. Europe must be capable of defining a project of society that lives up to the hopes of its citizens. It has to become a hyphen between the peoples of the world, by multiplying dialogue and co-operation, so that democracy and solidarity flourishes everywhere. Democracy only lives through participation (…) That's why we want the Laeken Declaration not only to relate to procedures and rights but that it should commit political leaders and all players in Europe to defining goals, organising common policies and breathe life into a democratic Union. These goals must come within the choices of society that urgently need clarifying". The text broaches, successively:
Europe's place and role in the new world order that remains to be constructed: " "Europe must step-up its political ambition regarding defence", say the signatories, also considering that: - the construction of a common criminal justice must come fully within the Community method; - the eradication of "off-shore" places is a great challenge for the organisation of internal security consistent with people's freedom; - the Union has to develop a rationale of concrete solidarity and partnership with the peoples of the planet and especially with its southern and eastern neighbours.
Economic policy and the renewal of the European social model: "The Laeken Declaration should provide for the powers and budgetary and tax tools necessary for a common economic policy", we read in the text, that stresses the magnitude of the task: - the States, the Union and the ECB should pursue common economic and structural policies; - the Stability Pact, turned towards the 90s, is no longer adapted to the challenges of Europe, following the introduction of the euro; - the Union needs to develop public investment; - the Union must provide itself with a regulatory capability for the financial market, its own tax and a genuine budget; - it is urgent to put an end to tax competition when it opposes the European values of solidarity, abolish banking secrecy when public security is at risk and get rid of regulatory havens. The text also recommends (1) States and Union co-responsibility for European services of a public interest, (2) a European system of social and civic relations built in a decentralised and interactive manner, and (3) a vast project of initial and lifelong education
.Options for a political Union: "Let's not get lost in debates on the meaning of the word "federation". What's important, is that Europe is not only that of States but especially that of citizens", the authors of the text state, considering that it is a question of "inventing a multinational participatory democracy" and providing the Union with new powers.
Among the 80 signatories are MEPs like Genevieve Fraisse, Philippe Herzog (PCF), Pierre Jonckheer (Ecolo), Michel Rocard (PS), Bruno Trentin (Democratici di Sinistra), former Belgian minister Fernand Herman (PSC), employers like Jean Gandois (Suez), Francis Mer (Usinor), Jean Peyrelevade (Credit Lyonnais), trade unionists, Emilio Gabaglio (ETUC), Jean Kaspar and economists, like Alain Touraine.