EU 2030: rethinking our common priorities

Europe is going through a difficult period and it does not take much to understand that political realities could look very different very soon. While it is impossible to predict whether and how the direction of the most ambitious political and economic project in the history of Europe will be changed, a certain new direction is beginning to show when it comes down to its future.

The question of how the European Union should deal with the changing European reality has lately been an integral part of the EPP Group’s debates. A colloquium on the future of Europe, hosted this week in the European Parliament by Alojz Peterle and Paulo Rangel MEPs, is the latest in a series of events at which the political priorities for the European Union over the next decade are being reconsidered.

Strengthening European cooperation in a globalised world

The European economy is deteriorating. Without concrete results, such as within the field of unemployment, the European project may be abandoned by the younger generation in Europe, stressed Valéry Giscard D’Estaing, former President of France, who called for a new European economic project.

Only a united Europe will be able to shape political and economic developments in a worldwide context Alojz Peterle

This project, according to D’Estaing, would require no modification of European treaties but it would require all of its members to have a common European currency. With its own leadership, single budget, taxation and genuine cooperation, it will ensure the continent becomes strong and united against the two giants of globalisation, the United States and China.

Without a stronger Europe, in twenty or thirty years, the EU and each of its constituent countries can no longer play a role on the world stage, he highlighted.

Without concrete results, the European project may be abandoned by the younger generation in Europe Valéry Giscard D’Estaing

Alojz Peterle, conference host, reflected on what it will take for the European Union to persevere. “A strong European Union is the prerequisite for a common European future," he said. “Only a united Europe will be able to shape political and economic developments in a worldwide context. The key idea of the fathers of Europe was doing things together. To do things together means to think of the other," added Peterle.

Fighting Euroscepticism

Other reflections discussed at the conference suggested Europe lacks tools to fight Euroscepticism, so changes in legislation are needed.

“The EU has to strengthen cohesion among its members because the world is changing rapidly. Brexit and the US electoral results show clearly that we have to reform our system and reinforce our political position,” stressed Paulo Rangel, Vice-Chairman of the EPP Group and Chairman of the European Ideas Network (EIN).

Brexit and the US electoral results show clearly that we have to reform our system and reinforce our political position Paulo Rangel

Speakers shared the opinion that Europe is changing and so should the project of a united Europe. That implies Europe should equip itself for a changed era.

"Everybody who is prepared to build a common Europe should be welcome. We can only build Europe together if we feel at home within it,” concluded Peterle.