Simple arguments. In the perspective of the next round of negotiations (expected to begin at the end of June) on the new European treaty, aimed at amending the draft Constitutional Treaty by safeguarding its essential contents, an important question has provoked some lively discussions and is the subject of a variety of different orientations: that of strengthened cooperation. Jacques Delors believes that this is indispensable if we want European integration to progress. Other figures consider strengthened cooperation as a theoretical invention that has been included in the texts but which is institutionally inapplicable. Some quarters fear that what will result from it is a two-speed Europe, where weaker countries will be excluded.
Jacques Delors' arguments are simple. The goals of an enlarged Europe are threefold: the peace and security area; the extended market, without borders and with accompanying policies (including solidarity); respect for identities and national cultures. This history of European construction proves that beyond these objectives, moving integration forward is not possible without projects encouraged by certain member states and without the participation of others. What would Europe be today without the Euro and without the Schengen agreements that got rid of border controls? Jacques Delors developed his arguments in the speech made to the Belgian Senate last week. I'll quote it.
“European construction would not have been able to progress without differentiation. What is hidden behind the much scoffed at but noble word, volapük? The Schengen agreement and the European Economic and Monetary Union are two things that we could mention. Do you believe that these two crucial examples of progress could have happened if we had had to wait for an agreement at unanimity? The deepening they represent only came about through the initiative of a group of countries and because the others agreed to remain for prolonged or temporary periods on the outside. Existing treaties have taken up this so-called strengthened cooperation formula but without providing the institutional facilities that would allow for its implementation. It gives rise to opposition and reservations from some member states that are haunted by the spectre of a hard core, or nightmare of a Europe going at different speeds. Strengthened cooperation would apply to the Union's general internal rules and would in no way lead to a kind of dismantling of the political and institutional apparatus of the Greater Europe. On the contrary, this strengthened cooperation will open up new fields for a tighter Union
This is the only way forward for the future of Europe's continued progress”
Some examples. Jacques Delors did not just indicate the principles, he provided examples:
“The first application of strengthened cooperation goes without saying: Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) and the Euro that stemmed from it. This will constitute a double test: continued economic, social and financial integration and successful strengthened cooperation. EMU has to move on from the protective Euro (which is the current case) to the Euro that adds dynamic to our economic and social potential and which will make Europe a substantial partner that can resolve monetary and financial imbalances created by globalisation. This does not involve changing the statutes of the European Central Bank but does mean giving it a partner, the EuroCouncil of Ministers (note: it would replace the current Eurogroup, an informal body that would become an EU institution), which would play a role in the common enterprise through coordination of economic policies, gradual tax harmonisation between eurozone countries and greater sensitivity about social problems.
If in the future the efforts of the EU27 prove unable to resolve the problems of our future on energy, it will perhaps be necessary to resort to strengthened cooperation in this area, open to all those that want to participate in it. This is why, in an effort to stimulate the debate, I launched the idea of a European Energy Community, in the image of the formidable political and institutional innovation of the European Coal and Steel Community.
I could mention other areas of construction in this perspective, such as Europe's military capability”.
Overcoming objections. The explanations given should help get over the reservations and objections that still surround the idea of strengthened cooperation. It is clear that Jacques Delors' concept is located in the institutional framework of the Union and that it would always be open to member states that want to take part in it by fulfilling the required conditions, and that the current rules for its creation will be revised and simplified in an effort to make them workable.
(F.R.)