Despite the disappointments. “I am proud of this Europe which bears no relation to what was my ideal”. I feel that this sentence encapsulates the spirit behind the speech Jacques Delors made last week in Paris at an event in favour of the European Constitution, organised by the European Movement. Those who followed his exploits as President of the Commission from 1985 to 1994, and afterwards, know just how far off the EU has drifted from what he would have wanted it to be: the heads of government have dropped his proposal of completing the Economic and Monetary Union with an economic convergence pact, of ensuring that the Union grows deeper at the same time as its boundaries grow wider, and to put into practice his “White Paper” (we discovered later how prophetic this was!). These setbacks have never dented his support for European integration nor sapped his efforts to turn decisions into reality, because every time Europe took a step forward, this was all that really mattered. The same is true of the Constitution today: “it is not an ideal model for Europe, but I am not going to cross the length and breadth of the French provinces preaching that we must abandon Europe, or that I do not recognize it”.
This is noble indeed, coming from someone who understands just how indispensable and beneficial Europe is for us all, and when compared to the narrow-mindedness of those who want to throw the Constitution out because it makes no provision for a certain tax they would like to see levied on financial movements, or because it doesn't refer explicitly to “right to abortion”, or because it recognises Europe's religious roots without indicating any preferences. Delors's speech was so refreshing against the backdrop of so much pettiness, bitterness, personal ambition and petty revenge that seem to be behind some of the “no” stances!
Taking account of the “fears of the citizens”. Jacques Delors doesn't look down on people who are worried, or who are uneasy about today's Europe: “I would never use arguments of hatred”. What worries him are the fears of the citizens, which focus mainly on three subjects:
a) The shortcomings of the Constitutional Treaty. Mr Delors recognises them, feels them himself. Europe makes us safe, it doesn't stimulate us. The third part of the Constitution would have been far better alongside the text rather than as a part of it, and it should have been easier to change. But any other criticism is erroneous. The social dimension exists and is positive, because the bulk of this field must remain within the hands of the Nations: nobody wants to see ways of life, traditions, the character of the people, their preferences, and their choices when the time comes for voting, being homogenised. What is European is solidarity, which can be expressed in the political structure (which the “no” supporters never refer to), social dialogue between the workers and the employers, and, of course, broad principles finally set out clearly as rights for workers, gender equality, protection in work, etc. Several rulings of the Court of Justice have already confirmed some of these principles in Community legislation. And how can we ignore what the Constitution adds to so many of these essential fields, such as defence, foreign policy, the organisation of power (with the European Parliament, whose work “is going from strength to strength”). And the advantages of the common agricultural policy? He called on his friends the farmers not to forget this.
b) The situation in France. The French must understand that almost everything depends on themselves. Europe can't do what the French won't. They need to get some confidence back.
c) The fear of EU enlargements. The same concerns being voiced today were heard in the past over previous waves of enlargement, in particular when Spain joined. Each time, in reality, economic cohesion has made progress and democracy has won out. The same will be true of central and eastern Europe. Peace, liberty, national identity- they have all been respected. Instead of constantly being scared, let's look at what Europe has done in forty years! More than we can call to mind.
Marginalised by history. I can sum up Jacques Delors's conclusion in a couple of sentences. None of our countries can face world-level challenges on its own. France has greatly benefited from European integration, but what it has to do, Europe won't do for it. Europe is already a power and “we are pleased to have replaced centuries of war with half a century of peace. If France throws away its opportunity to move Europe forward, it will be marginalised by history”.
Two days later, Jo Leinen, president of the constitutional committee of the European Parliament, sent out this message to the French: throughout the EU, a French no to the Constitution will be seen as a no to Europe. (F.R.)