EN | IT | FR | DE – In view of current strategic uncertainties, the EU has no choice other than to strengthen its security and defence policy, whilst at the same time continue to prioritise its peaceful strategies.
EN | IT | FR | DE – In a kind of prelude to the new political season, Manfred Weber, the Chair of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, delivered a noteworthy speech on Europe at the Catholic Academy in Bavaria, Munich.towards the end of 2016. The core of his speech centred on his “Ten points for the self-assertion of Europe”. At first sight, they are simple and obvious – but actually they are not.
EN | IT | FR – The European Council held on 25-26 June 2015, invited Federica Mogherini to submit a draft Eu global strategy on foreign and security policy within the next twelve months. The Mogherini proposal is designed to replace the 2003 European Security Strategy, long past its sell-by date. Heads of State and Government also mooted a vaguer idea of creating a future defence research and technology programme at the horizon of 2020. That was the extent of their creative thinking on this issue of vital importance.
EN | IT | FR | DE – It is difficult to believe that tax fraud will be tackled resolutely by Jean-Claude Juncker, the current President of the European Commission, who permitted this type of practice in his own country.
EN | IT – World Water Day, which took place on March 22, 2015, saw the participation of a huge delegation of the Forum of Water Movements to support the right to water. According to Renato Di Nicola, one of the coordinators of the Italian Forum of Pubic Water Movements, “the fact that hundreds of people throughout Europe (seventy from Italy) have come to Brussels to defend public water is a sign of the interest and constant commitment by active and concerned citizens at continental level”.
EN | IT | FR | DE – ‘A New Start’. This is what the European Commission (EC) called its Work Programme (WP) for 2015. It is a modest programme, with only 23 new initiatives, breaking with the former practice of a hyper-active bureaucracy, frequently pressured by more or less hidden interests.
EN | IT | FR | DE – The EU Heads of State and Government met in a European Council on 18-19 December in Brussels. They warmly welcomed Jean-Claude Juncker’s plan, which aims to create a ‘European Fund for Strategic Investments’. The mainstream parties of the European Parliament also gave it their resounding approval. It is a positive sign when people are finally talking about investment at European level rather than continuing to lose their way in the murky depths of Eurozone governance. Still, we should remain cautious about the success of this new Fund – for a number of reasons.
EN | IT | FR | DE – We are at the dawn of a new legislature: the “to do list” is so urgent that no time can be wasted. We must avoid the risk of waiting any longer for somebody else to get the job done and find the courage to make new and difficult choices together for the years to come. Considering that President Juncker has now announced the new Commission composition – with responsibilities being structured around well-defined political priorities in the hands of Vice Presidents – the time has come for a change of tack in Europe as well. And I believe this should happen along 3 directions.
EN | IT | DE | FR – “The European Parliament will not accept a gentlemen’s club” said the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, on 16 July. He warned the Heads of State and Government meeting in the European Council that the European Parliament would not invest a Commission that did not contain an adequate number of women. The previous European Commission, formed in 2009, included 9 women. The 28 Member States had until the end of July to submit their respective candidates for a European Commissioner post. Mr Juncker received just four nominations for women…
EN | IT | FR – The new Parliament, elected on May this year, is preparing to face the great cultural, social, economic and political challenges. The responses coming from the hemicycle will determine the future of the European Union. Edward Zin, vice-president of the Saint-Benoît Institute (www.robert-schuman.com) which promoted the cause for the beatification of Robert Schuman, now in its ‘Vatican’ stage, wrote this “Decalogue of the MEP.” A commitment to Europe articulated in ten commandments.