newsitems

*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Projects developing Multilingual Media for EU-wide News-debates in Strasbourg can become particularly useful for a Stronger Europe, more integrated and democratic, where a Cultural and Emotional Dimension must be added to an efficient Technocracy that cannot work alone, said in substance the experienced and popular German Minister of Finances, Wolfgang Schauble, to "EuroFora", at a Press-point concluding a landmark speech, at the invitation of French Senator Fabienne Keller, a frontrunner candidate for a new mandate in the forthcoming March 2013 Elections for the new Mayor of the City which hosts EU Parliament's Plenary Sessions, the PanEuropean CoE, ECHR, EU Ombudsperson, Shengen, EUROCORPS, etc,  on the key contribution of the Franco-German "motor" for Europe's forseeable Future.

    - Schäuble, after carefuly asking "EuroFora" to repeat a key point, spontaneously noded positively and Replied with a repeated - "Yes, Yes !", to "EuroFora"s Question, if he thought that European Multi-Lingual Media, for EU-wide News and Debates, contacts and exchanges, f.ex. in a Franco-German area as Strasbourg, etc. could and should be developed, particularly now that further EU Integration is needed even for a more Efficient EU Economy.

         - A fortiori because "without a Cultural and Emotional Dimension" for the People, "Nothing could make advance a Europe which wouldn't be anything else but only a Cold Bureaucracy !", strongly reiterated Wolfgang Schäuble, in a Warning repeated  earlier.

        - On the contrary, "if we (EU) Advance ...Step by Step", and "if we (EU) Explain, again and again, to (EU) Citizens the Directions that we are taking, and if the Situation continues to Ameliorate, as it has Started to do, then, we shall Succeed also to find, throughout Europe, a Wider (Popular) Acceptance of the E.U.", he pragmaticaally and patiently added (See Infra).

        - Schäuble had made it clear that he spoke in Strasbourg "as a Neighbour" (from nearby Offenbourg), "from the same Political Family" as French Senator Fabienne Keller who had taken the initiative to invite him to speak on Europe's current perspectives, on the occasion also of the forthcoming Elections for both the Cuty of Strasbourg éand EU Parliament, on March and May 2014, respectively, and considering, naturally, the well-known fact that "even if Europe is much more than France and Germany alone, nevertheless, the E.U cannot really advance forward without a Close Cooperation from its Franco-German motor..
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    - Particularly now, when make it possible and necessary to advance further in "European Integration", this "is part of what is really at Stake in the forthcoming EU Parliament's Elections" of May 2014, "which have a Strategic Importance", as French Senator Fabienne Keller, of the Main Opposition Party UMP, replied to a relevant "EuroFora"s Question, (See also Infra), speaking right under the careful eyes of the experienced German Finance Minister, who noded that he absolutely agreed with her on that key-point.

    - "At any case, I don't intend to accept, already now, a large Group of EuroSceptics inside EU Parliament after May (2014) Elections !", he warned afterwards Schäuble. Even if there are several things still to Change in the EU, nevertheless, "the Edification and ReUnification of Europe, are the Right Reply to the Nationalist Past of our Continent : Whoever doesn't believe that, should visit a Museum of the 1st World War, that will be commemorated this year (1914-2014), or go to a Military Graveyard, as said our Friend Junker !" (long-time Prime Minister of Luxembourg, and former President of €uroGroup)...

    - "However, the Edification and ReUnification of Europe are the Right Reply not only to the Past, but also to our Present and Globalized Future : Europe must and will work Collectively, in order to Advance Forward, ..in the present and future Conditions, in order to be able to stay what it is, and to Safeguard what is Important for you", its People, the Key German Minister promised.

    =>  - Thus, "Europe has to impose itself during this 21st Century Not by Lowering its own Standards, No, but rather by becoming more Competitive, through Reforms, with a more Efficient and Speedy Development. By ameliorating its Structures do that it becomes able to face the needs of this 21st Century of a Globalized Knowledge and Technology", Wolfgang Schäuble stressed.

    - Meanwhile, f.ex. "in Bangladesh, Textile Workers were Shot Dead, earlier this Week, just because they exerciced their fundamental Right to Strike, asking for a Monthly Salary not of only 80 but 160 $ !", he denounced.

    - Indeed, f.ex., "Pensions, Health system, Social Security, operational Courts and Rule of Law, etc., are tangible realities in Europe, but, on the contrary for many Millions of People  in this Planet, particularly in Asia or Africa, etc. these are only Utopic" Dreams, he added.

    - Thar's why, as for the "Necessary Reforms" in order to "Fight against Unemployment" and restore Economic Growth, where France and Germany almost "converge", (f.ex. by limiting Taxes on Businesses in France, and by introducing a Minimum Salary in Germany, etc), "we must never forget what is the main aim : It's not about serving an Idol, such as Market Economy, nor about Dismantling Social Acquis, or about making Europe more German or American", (as some Critics claim), "but just to make our beautiful Continent more Safe and Stable for the 21st Century, with one of the Best Social Conditions in the World", as he said.

     - "For that purpose, we (EU) shall contine the Reforms, and Deepen the (EU) Economic and Monetary Union, while also Modifying EU Treaties", the German key-Minister firmly anounced.

    => "We must now Advance Forward, in the Direction that we have taken during recent years, and make Europe Strong enough to be able to ensure our way of life".  A Great Mission, where France and Germany have to be together", in order "to Strangthen Europe, and make it more Competitive", he stressed.

    => - I.e., in particular, "after the Progres accomplished during these recent Years in terms of (EU) Reglementation, and after the Resistance Tests, , we are Srarting this Year (2014) the (EU) Banking Union, with our Banks in a Better Health" "And even if, sometimes, Difficult Situations might arrive, nevertheless, Taxpayers' Money will be Better Protected, thaQn what it was until now", he promised.   

    - "We are already advancing towards the Right Direction : Central Europe found anew Growth, average Budget Deficits were Divided by two,  ....."we (EU) have Ameliorated the Coordination of our Financial and Economic Policies,  we have concluded a Budgetary Pact as a Brake to Debts, and we are Building now also a Banking Union, whre we've just found one more Agreement at the eve of Christmas, (i.e. before the latest EU Brussels' Summit of December 2013) ; we found a sustainable European Solutions for the Monitoring, Control and Responsibility", the experienced German Minister of Finance enumerated.

    Meanwhile, "important Reforms were made precisely in those (EU) Countries which benefit from Aid Programs", (such as Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, etc), while, already  "Ireland and Spain are in the course of Concluding their Programs with Success".

 - "I know that it's Difficult for many Persons, from various points of view, but the Challenges that our Continent faces, don't allow any Hesitation, nor Delay", he underlined.

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 Schäuble (+ Samaras) on Greece
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 - Concerning f.ex. Greece, Schäuble acknowledged later the fact that Athens' Government "made clear Progress, even More than many expected from that country", so that, "if .... the (recently achieved : See Infra) Budget Primary Surplus" is confirmed, "and if there is another Demand for (EU) Funding, then, we (EU) are Ready to do something More" to help the Economic Recovery, (even if "that would certainly be a much Smaller Sum than the previous Aid").  "We (EU) shall see if it's Necessary, in the Middle of the Year" 2014, he promised.

- "But", for that purpose, Athens should "Honor all its Commitments until 2015" : "Now, Greece has to honor, at First", the Obligations that it has assumed , i.e., In particular, to "Continue its Structural Reforms and put an End to (Public Sector's) Appointments", he pointed out,

obviously speaking of the notorious problem of those surnumerary Cushy-job holders and/or Political Lackeys of former (mainly PASOK) Clientelist/Nepotist Governments of the Past 30 Years (1981-2011+), widely unpopular given various Corruption Scandals and/or other Crimes, several of whom apparently remain still non-elucidated or even unpunished, often under pretexts of strict Bureaucratic Time Deadlines...

- Simply because, without an Efficient and Moral Purge of the Greek State's sector, the excessive mass of Salaries and/or Pensions would make it practically imposible to Maintain  "a Primary Budget Surplus for 2015" too,  as Schäuble also asked, since, in order to become really Sustainable, it had to be a Stable result of necessary Structural Reforms. Otherwise, it couldn't be but only an Exceptional consequence of merely 1 or 2 Years of Heavy Deprivations imposed, if not to Productive Businesses, at least at the expense of Poor People's Health and/or Family Homes, etc., (who are by definition Innocent, i.e. Not Responsible of that Huge Debt notoriously provoked by the Excessive Number of counter-productive, and often Corrupted and/or Abusive, State Agents for more than 30 Years : Comp. Supra). Something which seems to have reached Crucial Limits, already since the previous 2010-2011 Government, as f.ex. the recent Tragic Deaths of a Young Girl after the Electricity was cut in her Family Home, and/or of a Poor Old man Aged 66 after Hospitals reportedly refused to provide much needed Health Care, (etc), inciting the present Government to immediately take at least some Urgent Practical Measures to prevent such Unjust Losses of Human Lives among some Poor, Innocent and fragile People, and Prime Minister Samaras to repeatedly stress recently, both in Brussels and in Athens, that his main Aim is to face and "overcome Unemployment and Injustices", as he resumed in a nutshell.

     + Indeed, looking well Conscious of the main needed Changes, the incoming EU Chairman-in-office, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, in a joint Press Conference with EU Commission's President José Barroso yesterady,  noting the Fact that, in addition to a 1st Primary Budget Surplus for 2013, (i.e. "a Year Earlier than scheduled by the (EU) Program", in a Fast-track Financial reform),  as well that International Financial Markets' "Spreads" were radically reduced since "Interests for Greek Bonds became 3 times Lower from what they were in the Past, (i.e. 3 or 4 times Higher)", as he reminded, while the Greek Stock Market  is currently "at its Highest level during the last 35 Months" (i.e. in almost 3 Years : 2010-2013), observed in Conclusion that  "the Markets picture a Greece which is going out of the Crisis, even if People are still Suffering, since a Process has Started to Reduce UnEmployment, to create Investments, and a (New State) System which won't be Bureaucratic and against Citizens, but Liberal and Citizen Rights-Friendly".           
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    Topically, Schauble arrived in Strasbourg only a Day after a meeting with US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, where he has just justified Germany's particularly succesful Export-oriented Economy, supported by a strong but careful Internal Consumption, vis a vis USA a.o. inspired criticism, mainly by observing the Fact that, compared to USA's 350 Million People market, EU's 500 Million-strong common Market still has, in overall, a rather limited Exports' result until now, while, in addition, some €uroZone Member Countries, despite recent progress, still face Financial Hardships during their on-going Reform processes, (while also inviting Washington DC to better face its notoriously huge current account's Deficit and controversial Monetary Policy, criticized even by numerous American sectors as too loose).   

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+ EU's Franco-German motor + Strasbourg City
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    + French Senator Fabienne Keller, anouncing her intention to focus on creating Jobs and developing Europe mainly by fully activating all the potential of its Franco-German "motor", stressed that she intends to follow much more German Chancellor Angie Merkel's and Finance Minister Wolfgang Schauble's Economic Policies, than those currently practiced by French Socialist President Hollande, with controversial or limited results until now, while also acknowledging Germany's currently "Leading" role inside €uroZone, in the present Economic and Political circumstances.  

    - Meanwhile, speaking at the beginning of the Anniversary Year of 1 Century since the 1st World War of 1914, Schâuble reminded the fact that, during the two particularly Deadly and Destructive World Wars, "more than a Million of Young German and French People lost their Lives at the Battlefield, while, on the contrary, Today, 100 Years later, (on 2014), any such War between France and Germany is absolutely Unthinkable, all former Hostilties of the Past have been thrown to the Waste-Baskets of History, where they belong, and, Now, all Polls show that nobody feels so Close to the French People, than Germans do !".

    - Instead, it's here, in this Superior Rhine Region (OberRhein : French Alsace and Germany's Baden-Wurtemberg, as well as Switzerland's Bale), which had Changed Nationality many times in the Past, and where People had Suffered a lot from 2 World Wars, that Europe's Peace and Freedom main principles, allowed EU Citizens to benefit the most during many Decades afterwards. + Moreover, Germany is grateful to France that it agreed, on 1990, to the ReUnification of Germany, which notoriously stimulated also the subsequent European ReUnification, Schäuble went on to add in his Speech. That's why Strasbourg, as the City of Franco-German Reconciliation and European ReUnification, is "the European Capital of our Hearts", even if there are several other Metropoles in Europe, as he said.

    - Thus, f.ex., the Borders which used to Separate People in the Past, now are becoming more and more Crossroads of Modern Communications and Citizens' meeting points, as the "Garden of two shores", the "Tram which shall soon unite Strasbourg to Kehl", the "High-Speed Train Bridge over the Rhein" between France and Germany, etc., so that "here, in Strasbourg, the Franco-German core of the E.U., European Integration takes a very Concrete Shape : With almost 6 Million of People, OberRhein has become a Region with one of the Strongest Economies in the World, right on one of the most Developed and inhabited European Areas, going from Rotterdam to Lyon and Northern Italy, the German Finance Minister observed.
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    +- Pointing at a Topical Link between European and Local Politics in 2014 in several EU Countries (France, Germany, Greece, etc), Schäuble observed, in Conclusion, that, "In a few weeks, we are going to elect the representatives of 500 Millions of EU Citizens in EU Parliament, headquartered in Strasbourg", and also "the Municipal Elections will take place exactly the same Date in Germany : on May 25, while in France, they are scheduled on March 2014.

     - "Cities can give to EU Citizens Roots and Participation to cells of Democracy", Schäuble went on to add, in view of German and French Local Elections,  noting also to the fact that, "in Democracy, few mandates give so Large Competences, as that of Mayor : Everything that is at Stake, from Europe to a Region, etc., is concentrated in One Person"...  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
    - "With Fabienne Keller, Strasbourg would have a new a Strong and Experienced Mayor, for all Citizens, who has already served in various Mandates, both here, in this City, but also in the Region, in France and Europe", Schäuble advised, speaking "as a Friend, and Neighbour", but also "Political Parties' Ally", as he said, after reminding, also her Senate Report on "TransBorder Regions in Europe", her participation in a "France in 10 years" prospective Group, etc, in addition to her 1st Electoral Mandate as Strasbourg's Mayor, during which even her Socialist Competitor Ries admitted that many Important Infrastructures had been built, critics having focused in the Past rather to relations with Citizens and even Friends or Allies, (something that Keller has admitted a long time ago, and vowed to Change this time, by trying to stand closer to motivated Citizens in the Future).

 

    - Meanwhile, Mrs Schäuble, who was accompagnying her Husband, together with some other German Euro-Politicians,  warmly Welcomed by the French People, speaking to "EuroFora", observed that she almost "didn't recognize" Strasbourg since the last time that she had visited the City, many years ago, (i.e. when Keller was Mayor)....

    + Keller confirmed earlier Today her intention to make at least some First Steps towards the Direction of what "EuroFora"'s Founders have been proposing already since 1997-2007, (See relevant Publications and Official     Texts, Audio/Video transcipts, etc), mainly by inviting Top Experts and leading Representatives of Interested Economic or Social Groups related to the issues dealt each Month by EU Parliament's Plenary sessions in Strasbourg, as well as to "Examine" former Vice-President Onesta ("Greens") suggestions for EU Citizens, as she said, (apparently not having been informed by anyone of the Fact that "EuroFora" had anew proposed in Public, during a Press Conference in EU Parliament with the EU Commission's vice-President responsible for Inter-Institutional relations and Communication then : Swedish Socialist Margot Wallstrom, back on 2006, following what, our main Idea (initially Highlightes even by writting , as early as since a 1997 collective Project officially presented by "EuroFora"s Founders and accepted by EU Commission in order to be examined in the framework of an EU Program for Innovative Social Utilisations of New ICT Technologies, then called "ESPRIT"),  had been only partly endorsed by the then "Green" MEP and fprmer EU Parliament's vice-President Onesta, who managed only to get a Budget  for a limited number of classical "Conferences" where just a few EU Citizens were "Invited" to participate, exceptionaly, in what he called "Agora", so that this attempt notoriously Failed, simply because, in fact, it was too far Away from "EuroFora"s original proposal : Which was, and still is, on the contrary, mainly to find adequate and Simplified ways (even costing nothing at all !) for EU Citizens interested by EU Parliament's  Decisions which affect their Lives, to have a chance, before Final Votes, to be Timely Informed and participate in Public Debates, expressing their views, and, eventually, in some kind of collective Dialogue with Key MEPs, thanks also to the Modern Information and Tele-Communication Technologies, etc : I.e. a "living" and Timely InterAction on what is really at stake during the EU Decision-making process, and not a mere bla-bla Disconnected from Topical Political Realities and People's real Interests...

    "Fabienne", as Keller is familiarly called by local People,, had initially surprized by winning at the 2nd round the 2001 Municipal Elections, but lost their 2008 follow-up, was meanwhile elected Senator, and recently managed to get on the Main Opposition Party UMP's support for a New, 2014 bid to win back Strasbourg City Hall, for which she started to work earlier than others, attracting in the rush a potential competitor : Robert, turned into Ally as a Party Faithful, while also facing Strong Competition by the outgoing Socialist Mayor-Senator Ries, as well as by Center-Right candidate Loos, current President of Alsace Region's Economic Committee, and experienced former Minister, as well as former Director of France's National Agency for the protection of Natural Environment, (with whom she could form a United Team during the Elections' 2 stages), followed by a surprise former mainstream politician Candidate for the Rightist "National Front", the "Greens",  but less by the "Left" and/or other fringe candidates of minor but not negligeable groups, etc. She might notoriously gain some Votes for her LGBTI Rights-Friendly stance, but lose others for her controversial vote in favor of an unpopular Law imposing Homosexuals' Mariage and even Adoption of Children, against which both her Party, UMP, and a Majority of French People are concerned for risks of various Abuses, according to all Polls, even if a possible late Alliance with Loos (who said that he was opposed to that law) might eventually bridge that gap.        

(../..)

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(NDLR : Fast Translation from the Original in French or German + partly Updated on 10/1/2014)

***

("DraftNews", as already sent, earlier, to "EuroFora"'s Subscribers/Donors. A more accurate, full final version might be published asap).

***

     *Strasbourg/Cathedral-Great Seminar/Angelo Marcopolo/- BioEthical issues are of growing Importance for Today's Young People, and, therefore, form part of those "New Challenges" for Humanity, in front of whom, the European/International Ecumenical Movement "Taizé" wants to stimulate "New Solidarities" Worldwide, able to "ReVitalize" the whole Church and the Society, inspired also by the "Early Christians", with a Global perspective, as its 2014 planed Collective Events at the Hearts of both America and Europe : Texas/Mexico/Haiti/Cuba and Prague, clearly indicate, replied in substance its Head, Brother Alois, to "EuroFora"s questions in a Press Conference, together with the Catholic ArchBishops and Protestant leaders of Strasbourg and Prague, at a Press Conference in the Great Seminar, followed by a majestic Ecumenical Celebration with representatives of all Confessions, at the huge Cathedral of the city, full of Thousands of Young People aged 17-35, exceptionaly joined by the Population of the French Alsace and German Ortenau neighbouring areas.

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    - "EuroFora" observed that "in the project (about "New Solidarities") that Taizé has prepared for the period 2012-2015, there is a lot about "New Challenges"", facing Humanity today, (making even more crucial the ReUnification of Christians, as well as their cooperation with other Religions and agnostics, in order to find common ways to succesfully overcome such massive Aleas). "One of such New Challenges, which was also evoked during the 2011 official visit in Germany by Pope emeritus Benedict, (in his famous Speech) at the Bundestag, is what some call "Human Ecology", i.e. mainly BioEthical issues, which become more and more "Hot", by the advancement of Technologies" and their possible uses or abuses by some, "as well as by various Popular Movements recently spreading in France, but also in America, and elsewhere".

 - "Since you have adopted a Prospective view towards the Future, do you think that this kind of Concerns could become part of that Family of "New Challenges" that you (i.e. the European/International Taizé movement) evoke, concerning all Humankind ?", we asked "Taizé"s Head.
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    - "Indeed, these are serious Questions", replied positively from the outset, Brother Alois.

    - "And we see, more and more, that Young People feel affected by such New BioEthical Issues, by all such Changes which take place in the Society", the Head of "Taizé"'s European/International movement attested.

    - "We see that, particularly during  more Personal Contacts", he pointed out.

    - "Because these are Society Issues, but certain persons are affected very personally, so that they often come to Speak with you in particular" about that, he observed.

    + In addition, "we (Taizé) organize "Crossroads" meetings/debates, on some among those issues : One among such Big Questions is that of the relation between "Science and Faith"", Brother Alois pointed out, (a logo which figures also at the Historic Library of the Christian Seminar in Brixen/Bresanone, Italian city close to Austrian borders : Comp. "EuroFora"s NewsReports from the spot).                                     
    - Because, "it becomes more and more an Obstacle for Young People, when, f.ex.  Science advances in many areas, and goes very far, how could one believe in God, in such a situation ..?", he indicated as an example in practice, (while it's well known that, in fact, real and conscious of its crucial Responsibilities vis a vis Society, Humanistic Science can perfectly well go hand by hand with Human Values' driven Religions, such as Christianism, etc).

    => - "In consequence, such Issues affect the (Annual Taizés' European/International) gatherings", definitively replied to "EuroFora"s Question the Head of the "Taizé" Global movement.

    - "And (that's why) we (already) had some "Crossroads"' events/debates , (in Strasbourg),  both Yesterday and Today" (early Afternoons), he reminded in this regard, apparently pointing particularly at Public Debates organized quasi-simultaneously at various Workshops'   locations around Strasbourg, more or less such as those about "Human Rights", "Caring, curing and Healing ?", active involvement of Christians in the face of "Ecological Urgencies", and "our Origins : the point of view of an Astrophysicist",  etc.           

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                 BioEthical concerns, of growing crucial importance for all Humankind's present and Future, such as, f.ex. Genetic Manipulations of Human Embryos, Cloning, Tests on Humans, Artificial - Medically assisted Procreation, Eugenism, Same-Sex Mariage and Adoption of Children by Homosexuals, Subrogate Mothers, Medically assisted Death and Euthanasia, Brain Monitoring, Nano-Technologies, Regenerative Medicine and "Enhancement" methods, Organic Biology, etc., are among various New Issues on which late Pope John-Paul II had started to work and fight at an International (UNO) level, particularly during the Tragic and abrupt End of his legacy in 2004-5, when it was planned for him to visit EU Parliament and CoE in Strasbourg, further continued with a Strong Fight of Ideas by his long-time collaborator and successor, Pope emeritus Benedict, particularly on 2009-2/2013, which were also openly and officially endorsed and supported further in their essential points, by New Pope Francis, mainly since May 2013, (Comp. f.ex., just 1 Day earlier : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/2013europeancathedralsnight.html ).  

           
    + On August 2013, the former Chief of Germany's Christian Protestants and current Head of preparations for the 2017 Global event on 500 Years of Reformation's movement (1517 - 2017), Bishop Margot Kässmann, speaking to "EuroFora", clearly acknowledged the Importance of BioEthics (f.ex. on Genetic Manipulations, Brain Monitoring, etc), which raise Today serious questions on Human Dignity, Conscience, Liberty and Responsibility, and agreed that they should be included among the common Modern Challenges due to be Debated among Christian confessions during the next few years, "even if I don't know whether we shall agree on everything", as she told us with a careful smile, (See Infra, as well as the specific "EuroFora"s NewsReport, already sent earlier to Subscribers/Donors, and Comp. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/christianprotestantleaderagainstarmedattackonsyria.html ). In addition, many growing Evangelist movements, f.ex. in France and even more in the USA, are well known and revendicate to be deeply committed in certain BioEthical Issues of great importance.

    As for Orthodox  Christians, f.ex. Historic former Russian Patriarch Alexy's famous denunciation of "Cyborg" a.o. Risks of abuse in BioTechnologies by some unscupulous Technocrats, during his landmark Speech at the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly in Strasboug back on 2007 , has left a legacy, added also to that of Popular former Greek Orthodox ArchBishop Christodoulos' many earlier Texts on various BioEthical questions, etc).

    - "Differences remaining in the expression of Faith", should "Not Divide us", nor make impossible "to express our Unity in Christ" : Because "there will always be Differences : Some will be normal Topics of Discussion, others may even be an Enrichment". But, meanwhile, "let us do with Christians of all other denominations All that it is possible to Do Together", not only "in a simple Prayer", but also by "coming Together in the Service of the Poorest", topically stressed later this Evening, at his Speech during an exceptional Ecumenical mass gathering in Strasbourg's Cathedral, together with Religious Leaders of German, French a.o. Christian confessions, Catholic, Protestants and Orthoodox, etc, the Head of "Taizé" popular European/International movement, while launching a vibrant Call to "make our Communion more Visible", by "bringing us Together in 1 Body", "all ... under the Same Roof", in order to "become better Able to Create a New Solidarity among Humans".
        -----------

        + Earlier, to a collegue's question if the Issues discussed during each Annual European gathering change recently , or remain mainly always the same, Brother Alois replied in substance that, "as we see during the "Crossroads"' debates organized during Afternoons, Young People want some "very Concrete Issues", f.ex. "what to do in front of Unemployment, how to face Immigration, or Questions on Faith, etc., and they want to Know the Local Situation in each (National) Church, not only deal with International aspects, but also to know how Christians are living on the spot, how they are, what they are doing, etc. Such elements become more and more topical during all these latest years".

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+ on Early Christians and ReVitalization of Modern Church
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    + Meanwhile, "EuroFora" also asked Brother Alois if he found that "Taizé"s proclamed aim to help "ReVitalize" the  Church as a whole, i.e. by United, "Ecumenical" actions, could take as one among various useful examples also the "Early Christians", who had been United even in front of Harsh Persecutions at the beginning  ?

 - "Oh yes", replied positively the Head of the European/International Ecumenical movement to "EuroFora"s question, on whether Early Christians "could be a source of Inspiration also for the Future".

=> - In particular, "it's already the Acts of the Apostles (i.e. Historic Texts reportedly written as early as since the late 1st Century AC, in "common", i.e. simplified, International version of Greek language), which remain a principal source of Inspiration on how the Church could live Today", he observed in this regard.

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"Taizé" in 2014 : from Strasbourg's EU/CoE HQ

to the Hearts of Europe + America : Texas/Mexico/Cuba + Prague
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     Topically, the move by the Head of the European/International Ecumenical popular Christian movement came the same Day that he announced to the Press "Taizé"s plans for the foreseable Future, including to hold Next Year 2014 two series of interesting collective meetings both at the Heart of Europe : Prague (for the Annual European gathering on December/January), and at the Heart of America : Texas and Mexico, followed by Haiti, Puerto Rico, Cuba, etc, (See specific "EuroFora"s NewsReports).

    On this occasion, "EuroFora", asked the famous Archbishop of Prague, Cardinal Dominik Dukas, whether the planned December 2014 - Januray 2015 "Taizé" European Event in the capital of Czechoslovakia, (as close to Strasbourg as Paris), might, eventually, revisit at least the main Ideas of a landmark Speech pronounced by the leaders of the Czech, Slovak and Hungarian Churches at an exceptional Ceremony co-organized with the then Vatican's representative to the CoE, Aldo Giordano, (currenly new Nonce at Uruguay, fro which New Pope Francis has just selected also the New Vatican's "Prime Minister" in Rome), and many Ambassadors to the CoE by numerous European Countries, from Norway and the Netherlands up to Russia, etc, and other Euro-Politicians and/or Top Officials , during Spring 2013 at Strasbourg's Cathedral, which had specially focused on Europe's current problems, potential and prospects.

    Then, Prague's message had mainly denounced, in substance, the fact that, Today, the real Threats from Ennemis of Europe are no more addressed only from the Outside, (as, f.ex. during the 1.453 Ottoman-Turkish Military Invasion and Occupation of the Capital of the 1st Christian Empire in History : Byzance's Constantinople), but, now, even "from Inside", (i.e., in a hidden/disguised form, also from somewhere in certain Bureaucratic meanders of EU/COE Institutions, where "fake" Europeans sometimes Undermine real Europe's Values, Identity and/or Potential).

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    - ArchBishop Dukas reminded, in reply to "EuroFora"s question, that, indeed, last May in Strasbourg, the CoE and Vatican had commemorated together the Anniversary of Historic Missionaires, Saints "Cyrile and Methode", who had spread both Christianism and Language writting and speaking skills from Byzance throughout all Central-Eastern Europe, including Ukraine and Russia :

    - "This Ecumenical celebration" was "very important for us", stressed Mgr Dukas, (who had notoriously been condemned, by some declining former Brejniev regime's Technocrats, to abandon his Religious Studies and Functions, but work as a Cleaner of Windows and/or in a Glass Factory for 15 Years, and, therefore, felt personaly very well what Human Rights, Dignity and Freedom really meant )...

.
    But Mgr. Dukas (who met, meanwhile, with Strasbourg's ArchBishop Grallet), abstained, with a kind but mysterious Smile, from either Confirming explicitly, or refusing "EuroFora"s suggestion to further develop and debate, during the Next "Taizé" 2014 European gathering at Prague, at least the main substance of that May 2013 Strasbourg event. As for "Taizé"s Head, Alois, he appeared interested, but carefully limited himself, at least for the moment, into simplying the question evoked by "EuroFora", and leaving it open for the future : I.e. could the Strasbourg's May 2013 CoE/Vatican event be discussed and reviewed at the Winter 2014 forthcoming Taizé European gathering at Prague ?

--------------------------------

    + Later on, Brother Alois, concluding his speech at the Ecumenical celebration in Strasbourg's cathedral, (a Symbolic key-point of this December 2013 European gathering, previously hailed even by EU's President Van Rompuy, and UNO's Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, among many other Political or Religious Leaders), high-lightged even further the event's Global dimension, by mentioning the fact that, this time, the Event was attended also by representatives from more European Countries including even, Bielorussia, Russia, Albania, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Lithuania, Slovakia, Czech Republic, etc., as well as more Young People also from other Continents, such as from "China, Korea, Kazakstan, Indonesia, Malesia, Philipines, Vietnam, Turkey, Iran, United Arab Emirates, Port-Rico and Dominican Republic", etc., as it was pointed out.

 

*Strasbourg/EU Parliament/Angelo Marcopolo/- Speaking just a few Monhs before the crucial 2014 EU Elections, In the middle of an exceptional ambiance of Thousands of enthousiastic Young People, in and outside of EU Parliament's majestic building in Strasbourg, most obviously stimulated by an obvious desire to raise some profoundly Critical Questions from the point of view of Topical Popular aspirations for a well developed European construction closer to EU Citizens' real needs, the Head of EU Parliament's biggest Group, that of Christian-Democrats/EPP, Joseph Daul, French MEP from Strasbourg, recently elected in Brussels also as New President of the European Peuple's Party, (the largest in the EU, with 12 Prime Ministers and 73 Member Parties from 34 Countries), launched in conclusion, and replying to queries by 17-35 years old, socio-professionaly active youngsters from the Ecumenical "Taizé" movement for a Unity of Christians open to cooperation with other Religions and beliefs in front of main new challenges facing today Humanity (Comp.f.ex.  : ....), a vibrant Call to act for a Better Europe.

-------------------

    Opening a topical Debate on "New Forms of Poverty" and "New Forms of Solidarity", 47 Member Countries' strong (including Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Armenia,  etc), PanEuropean Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law watchdog CoE's deputy Secretary General, Gabriella Bataini-Dragoni from Italy, exceptionaly leaving her scheduled Speech aside, (accessible in the Web), prefered to focus here into stressing  from the outset mainly that, as a matter of Principle, for the CoE, "Poverty is a Violation of Human Rights".

    Things become even more serious when Societies are currently undergoing also through a "Crisis of Values", which risk also to affect "precisely those Values that we need most, as Solidarity, Fairness, etc", the experienced CoE's No 2 leader warned from the outset.
--------------

     - "I am proud" to be a part of the same European movements with some among the most important EU's Founding Fathers, siuch as Schuman, Adenauer, de Gasperi, and others, launched from the start the President of both EU Parliament's largest Group of MEPs and EU's biggest Political Party, that of ChristianDemocrats/EPP, Joseph Daul, immediately triggering a vibrant 1st massive Applause by a fully filled EU Parliament's Plenary chamber, from the 1st seat of its huge Hemicycle, up to the last seat at the Vistors' launch...  - "And I'm glad" to welcome ypu here, "you, who are the Sun in Europe's Future", Daul added, naturally getting anew another massive applause by more than 1.500 Young People aged 17-35 from many European Countries...

     - We are crossing through a(n Economic) Crisis, but we shall succeed to overcome it, "All Together", with EU's 28 Member Countries, thanks also to European "Solidarity" after many "Sufferings" of several People, such as f.ex. in Greece, etc., he went on to say.

    => "You (Young European People) must Help us (EU Politicians) to develop EU Solidarity and do even Better than what this EU, which brought us many advantages, including f.ex. Peace, Democracy, etc., has already achieved, Daul invited.

-----------------------------

    + This includes also facing often the "Brakes" that several National States use to put whenever there is a need for the EU to advance further in European Integration, added critically on this topic Liberal French MEP Nathalie Griesbeck, from Metz, (in addition to her own observations for recent developments in Ukraine, also spoted by Daul and other MEPs as well as "Taizé" Young People, but which go beyond the specific viewpoint of this Article, obviously focused on EU's Identity and Future : Comp, however, on Ukraine, various related "EuroFora"s NewsReports published recently, such as, f.ex. : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/ukraineintaizeeventforfriendship.html )

    - F.ex., "in the previous Elections, some 60% of Young People didn't even Vote !", denounced "Green" French MEP Karima Delli, , the Youngest in EU Parliament, (and, therefore, apparently ignoring the fact that on 1999 and 2004, the sudden Fall of Participation was worse than in 2009)... And, at the same time, "there are too many Gaps ; F.ex. between Rich and Poor, between Politicians and Citizens, etc ",   she criticized, asking for "more Dialogue" and "Solidarity", without droping "alone any (EU) Countries or Citizens, but advancing All Together", (as her collegue Daul had just highlighted : Comp. supra).

    ++ German MEP Jürgen Klute, from EuroLeft group, stressed that, in addition to "Economic Integration", it's also "Social Justice" that is needed, in the EU and elsewhere in the World, where "we have to Fight against "New Forms of Poverty" adding that EU Parliament, together with EU Commission, Council and in cooperation with National/Regional-Local initiatives, whenever possible, "are Working" on cerrtain concrete aspects of that, (including, f.ex. inside a margin of EU Funds for Young People, SMEs, unemployed, etc., which were recently adopted by EU's Multi-Annual Financial Perspectives 2014-2020. Thus, "we (EU) have to Agree to a New type of Solidarity", he concluded.

    - In doing so, we must not forget, however, the "Enormous Change" that the EU already succeeded to bring to EU Citizens, f.ex. during the last 35 Years, before which, there were ony Nine (9) EU Member States : F.ex., in order to simply travel from Munich to Strasbourg, (both located near Germany's South, in the middle of the EU), the Train Stopped, then, at the Rhine river's borders, for a Police Control of almost 1 Hour, and in order to Change Machines for France, etc.. At the same time, just in order to visit the Eastern part of my Country, Germany, I had to get a "Visa" and "cross the Iron Curtain", experienced ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP Berndt Posselt from Germany, denounced.

    + On the contrary, recently, I was able to Fight f.ex. for Croatia's Accession into the EU, which has just become its 28th Member Country, he added positively, succeeding on this concrete point to trigger a rare but genuine Enthousiasm for EU's Enlargement in this case, expressed also by a large Applause from an EU Parliament's Hemicycle full of Young People aged to vote, (On Croatia, See also Infra for more). And in front of EU Parliament's Building in Strasbourg, you shall see a double series of Metalic Pillars supporting all EU Member States' Flags, which were brought here by the Leader of the Historic "Solidarnosc" Movement from Poland : Lech Walesha", Posselt pointed out, applauded.

    => In fact, "what we (EU) are Missing" now "is Real European Men and Women, a real Community of Europeans !", stressed in conclusion the experienced German MEP, former Journalist. Inside the EU, "there are Differend Languages, .. but there is a Community of culture, with Solidarity, Human Rights and Democracy, Christian Values, etc, Posselt observed. stressing that "this is Not only for the Past", since "the EU is Not a Christian Museum", but able to become "Open to Inter-Religious Dialogue" today,.

    >>> Since for Europe, with its Christian character, it's important to be "a Continent of Solidarity" : Because "EU will Survive only if it cares also for Other Countries", without staying "Blind to the situations of Other States, out of the EU, Posselt added, allmost adopting a "Gaullist" profile, (it's true, faithful to his own personal activities inside EU Parliament, where he is particularly active in EU Identity and Human Rights' issues).                         
---------------------------------

    Between the various more or less Topical Questions raised to the Panel of MEPs by some among the 1.500 present Young People, (beyond the recent purely Geo-Political developments in Ukraine : Comp. Supra), the 1st concerned, indeed, Human Rights of Ukranian demonstrators :

    - MEP Griesbeck replied that recent visits on the spot, both by herself and other MEPs, contrary to rumours, hadn't met any serious obstacles from the National Authorities to enter the country, move inside and meet People, with the only exception of some Youngsters who had been reportedly "badly Beatten by the Police and arrested, whom we couldn't visit, neither us, nor even their Famiilies", as said the French MEP, (inevitably reminding the recent case of Young peaceful Demonstrator Nicolas B., who had been chassed, brutaly arrested in Paris and immediately jailed for more than a Month in scandalous conditions, including in Total Isolation even from his Family and Friends for a too long Time, simply for participating  in Peaceful Popular Demonstrations of critcis against a controversial and unpopular Draft Law imposing Homosexual "Mariages" and threatening to oblige Children to be submited to the Authority of Homosexual couples, even Total Strangers to their Natural Family, under pretext of "Adoption", contrary to the will of a large Majority of French People, as all Polls revealed : See relevant denonciations by various NGOs to "EuroFora" at the CoE, and published earlier this year, f.ex. : ... ).    

    - But, in fact, these People are not demonstrating only for Ukraine's accession into the EU, but also "for respect of Fundamental Rights as Citizens", she pointed out, apparently agreeing with a previous declaration by Joseph Daul, who had saluted from the outset those Peaceful Ukranian Demonstators who "give a lesson of Democracy", as he said, anouncing his intention to send more and more MEPs to visit Ukraine.

    + While CoE's deputy Secretary General Battaini-Dragoni reminded the fact that both the Ukranian Government and the Opposition have recently agreed a proposal by CoE's Secretary General Thornbjorn Jagland to set up an independent Inquiry, (headed by ECHR's former President, Nicolas Bratza from the UK), on alleged Violences reportedly committed during the first Demonstrations, which is currently evolving.

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EU COMMON CULTURE
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    + Meanwhile, reacting strongly to a Critical claim by another participant, who felt that the EU would be a kind of Patchwork made of very Differend Countries, from most points of view, German ChristianDemocrat MEP Posselt stressed that, in fact, "EU is not just about Economy only, but has also a Common Culture" :

    - F.ex. "Christianity, Jewish tradition , Greek Philosophy and Roman Law, etc. are among Europe's Common Roots, which were all mixed up through History, creating a Common European Culture with Differend Colors", so that the EU is "Not at all an Artificial Construction", as he underlined.

    Diversity is good, but EU has also a Common Culture, where Values, and particularly Human Rights are at the center of Modern Europe, based on the principle of Respect for Human Dignity, which has beed recently placed at the 1st Article of EU's Charter for Fundamental Freedoms, Berndt Posselt observed.
----------------------------------
    Naturally, one of the most favorite Questions among Adult Young People turned around the ways for the EU  to tackle the Global Economic Crisis, as well as to fight against rising Social Inequalities and mainly extreme Poverty in various cases :

    + Developing further on the Global Economic Crisis' issue, President Daul observed, as far as EU Parliament's current powers are concerned, that, even if it's true that EU Commission still detains a quasi-Monopole for Legislative Initiatives, (i.e. in order to table Draft Bills), in exchange, MEPs can, f.ex., add certain Important Changes in crucial Draft Laws on which they have to Vote for Adoption, as it was f.ex. recetly done by establishing an EU Monitoring Mechanism over Member State's Financial Management.

    => In fact, "Today, the Real Debate is about the creation of a New European Economy, including key Social and Fiscal aspects", so that many "MEPs intend to push for Establishment of a Real Europe of the economy", Daul anounced.
---------------

    - Replying to anotheer relevant question, EU Parliament's vice-President,  Hungarian ChristianDemocrat/EPP MEP, Dr Lazlo Surjan, (who was chairing the meeting).  stressed the crucial importance of Education in the Fight against Poverty : - Both in the Difficult problem of Roma, as well as in other cases,  it's only by Educating young people in order to be able to find Jobs, whenever their "Integration is a Challenge", Surjan stressed.

    While EuroLeft's German MEP Klute preferred to point anew to an inter-institutional EU agreement to "get out of Poverty (at least) 20 Million People by 2020" as he said, adding, rather vaguely, that "we are Working on it"...         
--------------------------------------   
    => When a vibrant Polish Group of Youngsters insisted into raising "the Last" Question, its Spokesperson : a Young Polish Girl, asked MEPs how is it possible, in an EU which proclaims Respect for Human Rights, to "see cases where People are Starving by Hunger", because "they don't have Money to buy Food", while so much "Money is spend f.ex. on Armies and Wars", as she said.

    - Daul dared tackle himself this Hard Issue, by observing from the outset, that it's not only EU's responsibility to act in this domain, but also that of National States, Regions and Local Authorities, etc., all together :

    - Indeed, "we can't tackle all the problems at an EU level alone", he pointed out, noting that often we must act also "at the nearest possible level", closer to the People concerned, f.ex. that of Municipalities, in cooperation with Regions and EU Member States, etc.

    F.ex., returning back to the previous debate about Education as a means for Socio-Economic Integration, (Comp. Supra), Daul added that grassroots observers in several EU Countries, such as Romania, etc., had warned him that, in fact, a good and practical way to convince f.ex. Roma People to bring their Children to School, was to offer them regularly there a Hot Meal...

    But, fortunately, Daul noted, at least you can be here (at EU Parliament) during Holidays, instead of being obliged to take any job just to survive, as others are sometimes obliged to do, he friendly tackled the present Youngsters, (who had, however, reportedly , only given 35 or 75 € for 4 Days of Food and welcome in Voluntary People's Homes, for the organisation of collective Events, etc, so that they didn't really have to be particularly Rich themselves, many among them having thus a possibility to participate, even if they might have been Poor)..

    + Meanwhile, on a Global level, EU is the Biggest Aid Donor in the World", and we don't have to be ashamed at all, on the contrary, reminded Daul. As for the Defence policy expenses, if the EU hasn't any Military capacity, it is threatened to become voiceless and irrelevant in 10 or 12 Years time, he warned, adding that even in order to deliver Humanitarian Aid, "we (the EU) cannot always rely on Mr Putin's and Mr Obama's Helicopters", as he pointed out..

    => In fact, EU offered us already many benefits, including Peace, but is Not Perfect at all, and many more things have to be settled even Today. But,  - "You are the Future : Do Better than what we managed to do until now !", stressed President Joseph Daul in a franc and emotional Call to the 1.500 Young People who applauded vividly in conclusion.

--------------------------------------    

Exceptionally full of obviously interested Young People until the End of a  2 Hours long Debate, (from the Hemicycle up to the Visitors' Galery, with New Groups entering inside whenever some left their seats, and so forth), EU Parliament's popular success with the European/International Ecumenical Movement "Taizé" during  Chrtistmas/New Eve Holidays naturally implied some hard work also from  its Press/Information Office Director, the experienced  Luis Martinez Guillen, who interrupted his Family Holidays and travelled to Strasbourg specially for this event.

However, many more Young People, who were interested in EU Parliament, among the some 30.000 participants to Taizé's 2013 European meeting in Strasbourg ,were obliged, by lack of space/staff for larger, mass visits, to stay outside of the Building. even if most of them were, in fact, participating in various other events near EU Parliament, eager to become able to Visit it too.

As f.ex. a Group of Croatian Young People, from EU's brand new Member State, smiling interrogated afterwards "EuroFora", raising many Interesting Questions about the way EU works in real practice...

 The most actively involved, Orijeta, an Engineer from the Historic Euro-Region of Triest, among various other Topical issues, (including, naturally, the forthcoming May 2014 EU Elections, where Croatians will participate for the 1st time), while wondering about the best orientations of EU's Economic policies, particularly as far as finding ways to safeguard a competitive European Industrial and/or Agricultural production is concerned, expressed also a more Moral Concern, socio-politically interesting :  - "We all have certainly to earn our livelihood, working in one way or another, but nowadays People generally don't like those who do everything only for Money, and nothing without money", she criticized. - "F.ex., someone who only paints for Money, is Not an Artist !", the New EU Citizen observed.

 This obviously reminds a notorious Contradiction betwen an old, Bureaucratic, Mercantile and Petty-minded MisConception of what really Journalists should be, which unfortunately still keeps some remnants f.ex. in certain French or other Corporative selfish lobbies' interests, downgrading and reducing it practically down to a mere ordinary Job like many others in the Marketplace, with the only difference that is should be .. anyone who is simply ...Paid by a Business whatever, that Fiscal a.o. services have qualified as "Press" or "Media", rightly or wrongly, entirely or only in part..... I.e. something Totally Differend from the famous, crystal-clear Definition which is given (from a point of view of Citizens' Freedoms in a Democratic Society) by the Pan-European Court of Human Rights, which notoriously focuses, on the Contrary, on the real Substance of the Content of a Person's Activities, providing the only available Legal Protection of Journalists according to Human Rights' caselaw: that of Freedom of Press/Expression,  to those who regularly search, find, prepare and Publish News of serious Importance for the Society, on Public Issues which seriously Affect People's Lives.    

           
Naturally this could, or even should, be adequatly associated also with the Respect of at least an elementary Ethical Deontology specific for all Journalists, (as, f.ex; several CoE-related and other, Independent, European and/or International Organisations, movements, personalities, etc. have already suggested during recent years : Comp. also experienced long-time former European/International Federation of Journalists' former Secretary General, Aidan White, currently Director of the "Ethical Journalism" Network).

In addition to being Faithful to the Historic sources of "Noble Journalism", at its Beginnings in Europe and elsewhere in the World, Isn't all that, in fact, Topically related, directly or indirectly, also with the notoriously current Need, acutely felt Today inside the EU, for the collective creation of a real European Public Opinion, free and willing to engage into Topical Debates on the most Important EU Developments which seriously affect EU Citizens' lives, and eager to actively contribute in the Collective creation of a "European Dream", efficiently based on an artful combination of solid Real-Politics and attractive Values, able to Stimulate wide Popular Support for a Healthy and much needed today, deeper European Integration ?

 - By the way : -  "The company for which I work as engineer, has helped to produce the Glass ceiling of EU Parliament's building" in Strasbourg, added to "EuroFora" Orijeta, the Young Croatian author of the above mentioned "Artist" proverb (Comp. Supra), speaking, with obviously Topical Symbolism, of that superb Huge Glass Bulbe which covers majestically the Lower-level Construction in massive Concrete, succeeding to give a vivid impression of an overall crystal-clear, EU Citizen-Friendly  and Transparent European Democracy...

(../..) 

*Strasbourg/Hall Rhenus/Angelo Marcopolo/- Shortly after Top Political Dissussions during the latest EU Summit in Brussels, and before important geo-political developments expected at the forthcoming EU - Russia Summit on January 2014, keynote representatives of Ukranian Civil Society to a Mega-Event of more than 30.000 Young People from all over Europe gathered in front of Strasbourg's EU Parliament and CoE/ECHR  premisses by grassroots Christian movement "Taizé", hailed by UNO's Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and various other Political or Religious European and/or International leaders from all over the World, Replying to an "EuroFora"'s question, expressed their wish for Kiev to have close bonds both with the EU and Russia, unless anyone might oblige them to chose only one side.

- Reacting to a recent controversy, "EuroFora" reminded that EU has acknowledged the fact that Ukraine is, without any doubt, a "European" Country, (as it was officialy declared, already since 2008, by the then EU Chairman, former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at Elysee palace in Paris, together with EU Commission's President Jose Barroso : See "Eurofora"s NewsReport from the spot), while German Chancellor Angie Merkel, speaking just afew Days earlier in Brussels, pointed at the forcthoming EU - Russia Summit of January 2014, in view of which, a renewed "EU Strategy" could be forged for links to Russia, and, anouncing a personal visit to Moscow before that, advised to search a Deal to overcome "WTO" and/or other eventual Problems in order to allow a possibility for Kiev to conclude Trade Agreements both with the EU and Russia : Something that also the Armenian President Sargsyan had recently defended at the CoE in Strasbourg (See : http://www.eurofora.net/newsflashes/news/armenianpresidentoneuandrussialinks.html    + Comp. relevant "EuroFora"s NewsReport from the December 2013 EU Brussels' Summit, with a brief but topical Statement that gave us then the incoming EU Chairman, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, on EU - Russia issues, and Chancellor Merkel's as well as French President Hollande's relevant statements to their Press Conferences, already sent to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors earlier). Thus, we asked a group of young Civil Society representatives from Ukraine, who held a Press Briefing in Strasbourg on the occasion of the recent Demonstrations, what they really thought that is Best for the Future of their Country in this regard.

- Yes, replied positively in substance to this Topical question the Universitarian Victoria Bedzay, who works on management, taking the speech on behalf also of several among her young Friends, who included various Priests but also many other young People from differend socio-professional horizons : - We wouild like for Ukraine to be "Open", and able to reach agreements with all its neigbours without excluding anyone. May be that (i.e. to find a way to have Trade a.o. deals with both the EU and Russia); would also be Better for the Future, she agreed.

- But we are afraid that someone, perhaps Russian President Putin or another, might oppose any such agreement with the EU, so that we (Ukraine) might be obliged, as it was the case back during the old Cold War era, to choose between the EU and Russia, as in the Past, when only USA and Moscow existed, she warned.

+ Meanwhile, an exceptionaly Big number of Ukranian Young People of 17 - 35 years of age have reportedly arrived in Strasbourg for the scheduled PanEuropean Annual gathering of Taizé, the Ecumenical Christian Movement which aspires to create "New Solidarity" bonds between all People, of any Religion or belief, become conscious of the current need to work all together in order to face various New Challenges which face Humanity, (from the Global Economic Crisis, to the need to protect Nature, etc). Most, but not all, among those Ukranian Youngsters reportedly are among the demonstrators, critical to the current Government, but a group among their representative said to the Press that they are in favor of "Peaceful" only means to deliver their message, and acknowledged the fact that another part of the Ukranian population feels  afraid that an eventualy fast Entry into the EU might, perhaps, risk to hamper the Socio-Economic structure of the Country, mutatis-mutandis "as it happened in Greece", as they said, while others aspire, on the contrary to develop the Country inside an EU framework environment, that they believe as more appropriate both for Development and for Democracy and Human Rights.

However, a Young Lawyer, described how she succeeded, recently, to save a prosecuted dissident who risked to be condemned to many Years in Prison, as she said, just based on "New" Ukranian Laws closer to EU standards, while also expressing concerns particularly about the way in which non-transparent political dealings still settle too many issues in the country, according to her view. Moreover, even those aspiring for a rapid Integration in the EU, acknowledged a need for Ukraine to previously reform and strengthen its Economic, Social and Legal Structures, in order to prove in front of all (including the  Majority of EU's Public Opinion) that it really deserves to come much closer and eventually enter into the EU in the Future, where Kiev might also bring an added Value interesting for all those involved.

At any case, any attempts to eventually exploit any kind of Religious differences in order to Divide the Country, should be condemned, stressed also to "EuroFora" Greek-Catholic Reverand Volodymyr, pointing also at what he called as an Official Joint Statement by the Pan-Ukranian union of all Christian Churches, which mainly spoke for a Democratic and Peaceful solution without artificial Divisions. Something which could be at least symbolically supported by the remarked presence also of Christian Orthodox representative, of the Moscow Patriachate, Archimandrite Philarete from Ukraine, Today in Strasbourg, (already at the Press Centre together with one among the most active Taizé movement's organizers, responsible also for Press, Brother Benoit from France).

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Taizé Head, Brother Alois' message : "create a Community of Friendship"
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But the best Symbol in this regard, obviously applicable also to Ukraine's potential role in the Future as a Bridge uniting EU and Russia, instead of pretext for more Tension, Conflicts and/or Wars, was European/International Christian Movement Head's, Brother Alois, 1st message, in his Welcome Prayer, later Tonight, at the Biggest among many parallel Mass Gatherings of more than 30.000 People in several locations in Strasbourg, speaking right in front of EU Parliament's and CoE/ECHR's buildings :

- "We have come to Strasbourg as pilgrims of Peace and Trust", he stressed from the outset, speaking of "this City, in this region of Europe, which is Today a Symbol of ReCociliation after the Terrible Wars of the 20th Century".

 - In fact, "there is a place for All, and, therefore, for each one of us", with "Jesus" Christ,, "because he loves us", and "even gives the Place of Honor to those who seem to be Far from God, or who Feel Far from God", he added, commending a Gospel's reading about a meal "involving all Differend kinds of People". Thus, "jesus offers his Friendship to all", he pointed out.

=> Indeed, "create and strengthen a Community of Friendship", "is a contribution that Christians can make to the Future of our Societies", Brother Alois went on to add with force. "Christ invites us to leave Behind the spirit of Rivalry, which brings about Oppositions and Injustices, and become Creators of Friendship : PeaceMakers".

- Today, "there are so many Challenges to face : Unemployment, Precariousness, the Gap between Rich and Poor, within each Country and between Nations, and, related to this, the Degradation of the Environment", while "many Young People aspire to anOther kind of Economic Organization", he observed. - "Is it possible to find Answers to these Challenges, without Beginning by, First, Creating Bonds of Friendship ?", the Head of the Taizé European/International movement wondered, advising "to Seek visible Unity, Friendship, among all those who .. put their Trust to Christ, and also to all those who want to be Witnesses of Friendship in the World", (as he said at the Beginning of a 3 Days period of manifold parallel Meetings all around Strasbourg, including also between Christians and Muslims, Jews, agnostics, etc.

=> - "Christ calls us all to Widen our Friendship", and "we can do this very Simply .. : By a Shared Meal, by a Visit, and especially by Spreading ...Trust, all around us. ...we can be Pilgrims of Trust", he concluded, already pointing at the "proposals for 2014", (part of a 2012-2015 collective Project to create "New Solidarities" able to help all "Humanity" to succesfully face several growing "New Challenges").

Words, and/or religious Music, soft Lights, and a long period for Silence and Meditation, for a collective Prayer in the middle of the "Vineyard"'s decor of Rhenus Hall No 21, together with Strasbourg's ArchBishop Jean-Pierre Grallet, inspired a surprisingly great number of Young People from all over Europe, to wait in order to have a chance to personaly greet and be blessed by Taizé's "1st Prayer", Brother Alois, welcoming them to Strasbourg until late Night...

-----------------------

+ Meanwhile, Christian Catholic Pope Francis (referring also to a previous, Rome popular gathering, with his predecessor and friend, pope emeritus Benedict, with whom he just met for Christmas), together with the Patriarcat of Moscow, Canterbury's ArchBishop Welby, Lutheran World Federation Secretary General Junge, World Reformed Churches' union's SG, Rev. Fykse-Tveit, are among the Religious Leaders who already send their messages to Taize's Annual European gathering for the 1st time in History in Strasbourg, (the 36th in a long series of such Mega-Popular Meetings held each Year at another City), added to European Political Leaders, such as EU Council's President, Herman van Rompuy, and UNO's Secretary General Ban Ki Moon.