It is regrettable that the solemn ceremony that formally gave birth to the Union for the Mediterranean received more coverage and comments in the media (and therefore more of an echo among the public) than the presentation at the European Parliament of the French Presidency's programme and the debate that followed. There was, however, more substance in the Strasbourg debate than at the ceremony in Paris. All those interested in Europe should familiarise themselves with the Strasbourg event by reading the four information-packed pages in EUROPE 9701. Several sources reported on Nicolas Sarkozy's declaration and the reactions of one or other of the parliamentary groups according to their respective political stances. Our newsletter published the overview, including the declarations from opponents of European construction. Here are a few more things to consider.
1. The European Parliament gets stronger. The Presidency of the Council's presentation took the form of a genuine debate of investiture and Mr Sarkozy answered all the contributions made by MEPs. This bodes well, given the forthcoming European elections next year and the regrets about delays to the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty (entry into force will noticeably expand the powers of the EP, which are increasingly sharper and make the burden of responsibility for the delay even heavier.
2. No further accession without Lisbon Treaty. Mr Sarkozy was clear: without institutional reform, the EU cannot expand. “Lisbon and enlargement” is his formula.
3. How to get out of the crisis. Mr Sarkozy did not refer to any of the formulas he has been developing but the fact that he indicated some of the dates is significant. He will make his suggestions before the end of his presidency (perhaps even at the October European Council). Legal experts are working on the possible options (see our previous newsletter) but political approval has first to come from Ireland where Mr Sarkozy will be visiting next week. The goal will be to invite the Irish to vote again in the spring after providing a number of responses to their concerns but without amending the text of the treaty. If this option proves unworkable, Ireland will have to indicate how it intends to respect the vote of other member states, just as they are respecting Ireland's vote. It is obvious, however, that after the appropriate assurances provided, Mr Sarkozy would like the Irish to reconsider their “no” vote, as indicated in Strasbourg by the explicit reference to the Danish precedent of 1992.
4. Avoid a two-speed Europe but…Mr Sarkozy stated that “there are 27 members of the European family but let's first of all try and make a Europe in which everyone participates”. He added: “perhaps one day we will need to have a two-speed Europe but this has to be the last solution”. I can recall that the differentiation formula Jacques Delors considers unavoidable, does not mean a member state leaving the Union but that it takes part in certain projects, which is already the case with the single currency and the Schengen zone. The Lisbon Treaty facilitates this option.
5. Why is public support for Europe on the decline? Some of the reasons to which Mr Sarkozy pointed, included the attitude of some national leaders who don't dare defend common decisions in their home countries that they themselves had taken part in. He alluded to cowardice. The president of the Commission, Mr Barroso, referred to the contrast between the respect the EU has in the world, as well as its increasing influence, and the pessimistic feeling, which appears to prevail inside Europe. Several of the projects Sarkozy seeks to develop go in the direction of the different people's expectations: for example, the social agenda, represented by the Commission and the “European pact” on immigration. He also made an explicit affirmation to recognise sport as a special case and explained that he also wanted to introduce a moral dimension to financial capitalism, whose actors must “be prepared to learn”. His message to citizens is: “Europe has the duty to act and act now; we are not condemned to inaction”.
Reactions from MEPs varied, which is logical, and several political groups expressed their sometimes contradictory priorities. In the spring, citizens will make their decisions. Last week European democracy made progress.
(F.R./transl.rh)