The Future of Europe must mean a Better Europe for all

A serious, wide-ranging debate involving European and national parliamentarians is required to shape the future of the European Union, Mairead McGuinness MEP and Vice-President of the European Parliament. Today, the European Parliament debated a new European Commission White Paper on the Future of the EU, outlining five possible future scenarios to be discussed and firmed up by the end of the year.

"This initial policy paper from the Commission aims to launch a debate across Europe on what kind of future we want for future generations. It outlines five scenarios for the EU by 2025. Its purpose is to launch an EU-wide debate, involving the European Parliament, national parliamentarians, regional authorities and civil society. These views will be taken into consideration by Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker who will give his State of the Union speech on the Future of Europe in September 2017. EU leaders will then be expected to announce their conclusions by the end of this year.

"It is clear that the EU is at a very critical junction, with Brexit on the horizon and in the context of dramatic global changes. The importance of this Future of Europe working document cannot be underestimated and will be the basis of much discussion from now until the 2019 European elections. It is an opportunity for us to shape a better Europe for all," said McGuinness.

The first scenario presented in the Commission paper envisages the EU carries on implementing reforms, particularly focused on jobs, growth and investment. The second scenario would have the EU focus solely on deepening parts of the Single Market making the principle of free movement easier, if the EU27 does not want to work for a closer Union in other areas like security or defence and migration. That's in contrast to the third possibility – a European Union that allows Member States to take more collective action in more specific areas like defence, security or social matters. Option four provides for a more efficient, fast-acting EU27 which focuses on less policy areas but maximises resources where they can be most impactful like in trade, completion policy, banking union. While the fifth proposal projects a more expansive, wide-reaching EU whereby Member States decided to share more power, resources and decision-making across the board with a strengthened Euro Area, speaking with one voice at international level.

As Vice-President of Parliament with responsibility for Relations with National Parliaments, McGuinness underlined the need to bring the EU closer to its citizens through improved connections with national parliamentarians: "The EU's positive role in daily life is not visible if the story is not told locally, as highlighted. In my own constituency of Midlands North West Ireland, local people are very aware of the beneficial EU funded infrastructure such as roads, and of course the valuable cross-border peace programmes. However, there can often be a confusing mismatch between expectations and delivery when it comes to EU policy, which is jointly decided by Member States at EU level but is left to national authorities to implement.

"I welcome the importance that Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker places on restoring trust in the EU, in building consensus and creating a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, as President Juncker points out, it is increasingly difficult to do so in this era of fake news and misinformation. More constructive public debate, with factual information, on how we the EU can move forward together is urgently needed - for peace, democracy and for a better quality of life for all.

"To that end, European politicians and those at a national, regional level must strengthen their connection, deepen their understanding of the work of their counterparts, be more accountable for the decisions taken at EU level, communicate effectively and work together to deliver for the citizens they represent," McGuinness added.