Brussels, 19/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - During the conference on "Communicating Europe", held on 7 April by the Irish Presidency, John Palmer, Political Director of the European Policy Centre (EPC) and editor of Challenge Europe Online Journal, drew four conclusions on how to improve communication of European affairs to the citizens. John Palmer, who has been involved in European affairs since the 1960s and was twice the Guardian's Brussels correspondent, believes that the following are particularly needed:
- plug the gap between the citizen and the "political class" of the EU. He believes that in the European elections, voters should be able to voice an opinion on the direction to be taken by the Union, and at least "choose the President of the Commission whose political programme most appeals to them". Only then will the media be able to present EU policies more coherently, without being prisoners of "the narrow paradigm of being "for" or "against" the European Union'.
- take ownership of the message instead of blaming "Brussels". Mr Palmer notes "the palpable reluctance of Member State governments to share responsibility for communicating Europe" (some even presenting EU decisions in such a way as to encourage an image of the institutions of the EU, and especially the Commission, as "other"). The Member States of the EU should "rediscover the sense (...) of belonging to the same community", he feels, suggesting an agreement between Member States and "the EU's collective institutions on the key priority messages". He feels that the key themes of a communication strategy could be: - "the EU in a troubled world- helping to secure global security, justice, democracy and development"; -the EU "ensuring freedom, security and justice for its peoples"; -the EU "working with its Member States to create prosperity, employment, a knowledge society, social and regional cohesion and a sustainable economy". Messages on issues of shared responsibility between Member States and Community institutions should be prepared jointly by the Commission, EP and Member States, on the basis of Commission proposals.
- adopt a "clear and less esoteric language". Mr Palmer acknowledges that progress has been made in the style of communiqués from important EU meetings, but feels that there remains much to be done to help political decision-makers use comprehensible language when talking of European affairs.
- "putting a face on Europe", which is unfortunately lacking in "public 'faces' ordinary people can recognise". Here, Mr Palmer noted the role which should be played by the President of the European Commission, a "limited number of future key Vice-Presidents", the future Foreign Minister, the President of the Council and of the EP, and leaders of the political groups.