EUROPE
from issue no. 01 - 2008
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THE ISSUE. The goal of political unity after economic unity
The drive of the new countries will wake up the lazy ones
Nine questions to Senator Giulio Andreotti on the state of the European Union
Seventy years on from the Congress of the European Movement in
the Hague and from the creation of the Council of Europe, and fifty years on from the signing of the Treaty of
Rome, how does the goal of a political dimension to Europe look today?
If we look back to the very lean chances on departure, assessment of the present is not negative. But we are still way behind the goals to be hoped.
What prospects will the new reformed Treaty open when it goes into force?
There are operative norms that will help to understand and live under the great innovation.
Is the reformed Treaty between the 27 countries of the European Union the only instrument for achieving the political unity of Europe?
That’s how it is for the moment.
How and why can the expansion of the European Union help towards the goal of a political Europe?
Because the drive of the new countries will wake up some that have grown lazy.
What are the conditions for the European Union to count more in the international balance of power and face up to the great challenges of our time, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change, poverty in many areas of our planet?
They are all topics that have to be dealt with jointly and not by instalments.
What might be the role of the founder countries and, in particular, of Italy, France and Germany, in the construction of the political unity of Europe?
We should set an example to the new members with a more rapid and longer stride.
In a Union that currently counts 27 member countries what role can be played by so-called reinforced co-operation to bring the goal of a political Europe closer? And can the cutting edge exercise the function of stimulus in this framework?
We must create large-scale European-wide programs in schools, factories, the media.
Once the single market is established and the euro in force, shouldn’t the Union be assured of an economic regime that constitutes the interface with the European Central bank? Wouldn’t it be possible to begin to discuss it precisely within the Eurogroup that brings together the member countries that have adopted the euro?
It’s a delicate question because the independentist enclaves are very strong in the systems of the individual countries. The idea of a particular initiative on the part of the euro countries is a good one.
What might be the role of the other countries in the European Union and, in particular, that of Great Britain, which does not belong to the Eurogroup and has also recently declared itself not in favor of the political unity of Europe?
If we strengthen our togetherness, England will be driven in its own interests to take the right direction.
If we look back to the very lean chances on departure, assessment of the present is not negative. But we are still way behind the goals to be hoped.
What prospects will the new reformed Treaty open when it goes into force?
There are operative norms that will help to understand and live under the great innovation.
Is the reformed Treaty between the 27 countries of the European Union the only instrument for achieving the political unity of Europe?
That’s how it is for the moment.
How and why can the expansion of the European Union help towards the goal of a political Europe?
Because the drive of the new countries will wake up some that have grown lazy.
What are the conditions for the European Union to count more in the international balance of power and face up to the great challenges of our time, terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, climate change, poverty in many areas of our planet?
They are all topics that have to be dealt with jointly and not by instalments.
What might be the role of the founder countries and, in particular, of Italy, France and Germany, in the construction of the political unity of Europe?
We should set an example to the new members with a more rapid and longer stride.
In a Union that currently counts 27 member countries what role can be played by so-called reinforced co-operation to bring the goal of a political Europe closer? And can the cutting edge exercise the function of stimulus in this framework?
We must create large-scale European-wide programs in schools, factories, the media.
Once the single market is established and the euro in force, shouldn’t the Union be assured of an economic regime that constitutes the interface with the European Central bank? Wouldn’t it be possible to begin to discuss it precisely within the Eurogroup that brings together the member countries that have adopted the euro?
It’s a delicate question because the independentist enclaves are very strong in the systems of the individual countries. The idea of a particular initiative on the part of the euro countries is a good one.
What might be the role of the other countries in the European Union and, in particular, that of Great Britain, which does not belong to the Eurogroup and has also recently declared itself not in favor of the political unity of Europe?
If we strengthen our togetherness, England will be driven in its own interests to take the right direction.
