Brussels, 27/09/2005 (Agence Europe) - The fourth summer university of the European Ideas Network (EIN) created by MEP James Elles (British Conservative), gathers in Lisbon on 22 and 23 September over 300 participants from 30 countries to share thoughts on how to respond to the challenges raised by globalisation. The work of this network of politicians, academics, think tanks and European foundations, created three years ago, has been praised by the president of the PSD in Portugal, Luis Marques Mendes, and the president of the European People's Party (EPP), Wilfried Martens, who underlined the contribution that it has made to renewing the ideas of the centre and centre-right at the European Parliament. Mr Martens trusts that the centre-right, as a main political force at the European Parliament, will take advantage of this period of reflection on the Constitution to launch an open debate with the public in order to reconcile citizens with the European project. “We must be modest in what we say, but ambitious in what we do”, the president of the EPP-ED Group at the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering, said in his opening speech. The president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, restated that the absence of a Constitution should not serve as a pretext for doing nothing and that “we can do a great deal with the current treaties”. Mr Barroso also assured that, for Europe to do less but better, the Commission will place emphasis on quality impact studies, on the compatibility of the new proposals with the Lisbon strategy and on simplification of legislation.
The former Spanish prime minister, José-Maria Aznar, sketched out his plan of action for Europe with a view to restoring the confidence of Europeans in their social, economic and political model. Based on a European society that feels threatened by terrorism, which no longer believes in its values and which has too many “lightweight” leaders, he suggests reaffirming the traditional values of western civilisation (that he considers the “best”), and urges for an “Atlantic Europe” (“the only one that is desirable and the only one that is possible”) which is not built as a counterweight to the United States but as its partner. This alliance would take the shape of NATO reform and the creation of a large transatlantic economic area. According to Mr Aznar, priority is not to reform the institutions but to define the limits of the EU, economic reform and fight against terrorism. “We must put an end to the appeasement policies, which are weak policies (…). The power of mistaken ideas is strong”, he said.
The Lisbon reflections were enriched by the conclusions of ten working groups relating to climate change, sustainable agriculture, immigration and democracy in Europe. The group that examined growth and employment considered that 6 million jobs could be created if the Commission decided to exempt micro-enterprise of over 10 employees from application of the European legislation, and suggested the nomination of a Commissioner for deregulation. Regarding the fight against terrorism, the participants stressed the need to define the threat and to link internal and external security issues, while ensuring the integration of Muslim communities.
The next EIN summer university is scheduled to take place in Lyons, France, in September 2006. The conclusions of the work conducted in Lisbon area available on http://www.europeanideasnetwork.coml