Brussels, 05/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - Among the numerous contributions of recent months on the future of Europe, is the Discussion paper for the Charlemagne's Forum on Europe in Aachen by the Bertelsmann Group for Policy Research at the Centre for Applied Policy Research at the University of Munich. This paper underlines the fact that pressure for integration is considerable and that despite many divergences, Member States have a, "very broad base of common interests". The Bertelsmann Group mentions "four major projects" that illustrate the scope and dynamics of these common interests: the development an EU into a "security community"; the will to become the most dynamic economy in the world and thus a "sustainable growth community" recognition of the need that the EU remains a "community of solidarity", particularly in the context of enlargement; development towards a universally accepted "constitutional community".
The report emphasises that, "the longer the Convention meets, the more clearly well-known conflicts will raise their heads" and that internal and external security must be linked and Europe takes action so that its strengths - "diversity in space, relationships and systems" - do not become its weaknesses; "co-ordination and external representation of economic and financial policy should rest in a single set of hands"; the open co-ordination method (launched at the European Council of Lisbon) should, "find its place among the EU's tools and be supplied with the appropriate processes"; "in the interests of current and future Member States, the cornerstone of future reforms in the EU's financial constitution must be laid before the next enlargement. According to the report, current financial and institutional results should be examined strategically in the next round of enlargement and be taken into account in the 2004 reforms, as well as categories of responsibilities being distributed to the different levels. Each case must also examine, "the intention and extent of the European right to intervene".