Sarkozy on Europe: Urgent to Act +Save Peace. 1st issue =EU Identity. All Legislative Power to MEPs!

*Strasbourg/- Curiously, even if it's noted in almost all Media, nevertheless, most of them, exceptionaly ..Skip the Full Text of former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's May 2014 call to Save Peace and Europe, by correcting EU's Errors and by urgently anouncing a Clear Horizon of resolute Advances, spearheaded through its Franco-German core and €uroZone, but chose, on the contrary  to mention unilateraly only 1 or 2 points, while scandalously Hiding to the People all the rest !...

In consequence, given the obviously Crucial Importance of the forthcoming EU Parliament's Elections, "EuroFora" publishes, exceptionaly, (in an English Translation, that we made from the German version of the original Text in French : The only one to be published by "Die Welt" without any obstacles or personal data risks !), ALL Sarkozy's 2014 paper, coming from the only Top EU Politican who had initially got brillantly elected not only by a Large Majority of Voters, but also with a Record-High Participation, by stressing the Vital Need for a "Renaissance" of Europe both before and after his 2007 Election, (See, f.ex., also : http://senas.canalblog.com/archives/2007/07/09/5559336.html ), because all EU Citizens must have a real Chance to be easily Informed, on such Substantial and Topical issues which concern all Society, without any Obstacles or risks.

After resuming its Main points, a Full Text follows Infra  :

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(A) MAIN POINTS :  

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- Whoever wants to Destroy Europe, threatens Peace at  the European Continent. Europeans don't want to Suffer again the Abyssal catastrophes of Conflicts and Wars of its Past History.

- Errors must be Corrected, EU needs Big Changes and ReShape, but Europe's Treasure has to be protected.

 - 1st Big Issue : EU's Identity. Imagine in what worse situation Europe would be now, if I hadn't Stopped a Forced March towards Turkey's entry in the EU...  Shengen Countries must have a Common Migration policy.

- The EU of 28 Member States, should be restricted to certain key-policies. But France and Germany have a Duty to pioneer for a Strengthened €uroZone Integration, by spearheading with a balanced Fiscal and Social area at its Franco-German Core : Solidarity in Debt management needs Raprochment in Economic Policies and in Competitiveness.

=> All Legislative Power to EU Parliament ! EU Commission should focus on Execution, Checks and maybe Sanctions.

>> Political Leadership is a Duty. Too many People are affected by Unemployment and Austerity. It's Urgent to announce a Clear, Resolute, and Target-oriented Advance.

+  (etc).

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(B) FULL TEXT
(English Version : Comp. Supra).

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Nicolas Sarkozy

 
As far as I can remember, I have always felt French to the core. For a long time, I could not have even imagined living anywhere else. France flowed as naturally in my veins as my own blood.

But over time, with the arising of experience and the meetings that I have been blessed, I have become more and more open to the realities of the world and understand the importance of belonging to the European continent. I gradually felt the reality and the nature of the European family.

I know now that each one of us belongs  not only to  a country but also to a continent. France and Europe are geographically, historically, culturally and politically now inseparable. To deny that would be almost a self-denial. So I want to speak to the French, who feel deep anxiety about their future and the future of our country, about Europe.

I understand your bitterness and anger, but we need  time to Think. . And try to keep an eye to the future.

Climate of dull hostility

The Europe debate takes place today in a climate of indifference and dull hostility which makes one speechless. But indifference is suicidal, because in Europe is decided an essential part of our future. And hostility is deeply unfair, considering that the European Union has brought us Peace, which is something very crucial.

Do I need to remind you that for Peace, in Europe - as well as everywhere else in the world - there isn't any final acquis, but rather a subtle Balance, that must be preserved at all costs? Our continent was, from all regions of the world, the place where some felt the most despised, fought against each other, destroyed and killed each other.
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To these centuries of confrontation between European Nations, we have succeeded to put an End,  only since the foundation of the European Union! I.e. for less than 60 years. Alone with our German neighbors, we had waged war every 30 years on a regular basis - and this had been going on during at least three centuries! Now, however, there is peace for 70 years.

If only for this reason, the European Union should be strongly appreciated and enthusiastically supported. Unfortunately, I haven't the slightest doubt that; in case of collapse of the European Union, centuries-old hatreds and conflicts of interest, with re-doubled violence, would break out again. I mean what I say.

*** Whoever wants the destruction of Europe, threatens Peace at the European continent. *** I could never accept that. I could never let this happen. Those who suggest this route, forget the lessons of History and would possibly lead into the Abyssal depths that have experienced our grandparents, and that we no longer want to suffer.

Peace seems to be self-evident (a matter of course)

This peace and stability, that Africa, Asia and Latin America don't know, appears on our continent now as a matter of course, (as something which goes without saying). In fact, however, this situation is something new, it is unexpected and the exact opposite of what had shaped our entire history for centuries.

The French must listen to, because it's the truth. Peace is the result of the Unification of European People, as the founding fathers had dreamed. Considered alone, from this perspective, it's an exemplary success!

The Europe of Peace is not just an empty formula,  at a time when Conflicts flare up around the European Union. "Look at the map", General de Gaulle had said. From North Africa to Syria, from Turkey to Ukraine, our neighbors pass through Crises of frightening depth.

All of these - often young - National States are  exposed at an existential threat- of implosion by Civil Wars, or explosion due to the pressure of Separatist aspirations. Europe today has a clear responsibility, it must contribute to a solution of the crisis, in order to prevent that this Ring of revolutions, becomes for Europe a Belt of Uncontrollable Risks: "Failed states", illegal activities, Terrorism ...
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Europe obliges us to reason

Europe has, in my view, another major advantage, particularly at the present time : it protects us from ideological abuses by our Governments and their majorities. I would never think to equate the (political) Right with the Light, and the Left with Darkness, as it happened in the Past, for the other way round (the opposite).

I think at the beginning of the 80s. That would be absolutely ridiculous. The real divisions Today, can be hardly described only with the analytical grid of "left / right" . Rather, I want to appeal to "reason", which has always been present in the French intellectual history.

Imagine if, this or that of our current leaders, had a free hand to fully implement its largely unrealistic ideology, in the realities of the world of the 21st century . The serious mistakes that we are currently experiencing, would be even worse.

Taxes without limits, uncontrolled and unlimited public spending, explosively growing deficits, General Leveling... Thanks to the mutual dependency, between us and the others in Europe, fortunately, the worst is not always possible.

So Europe can limit the absurd excesses, and curb the widely sky-rocketing damage (a little). Europe is also forcing hardcore ideologues, to allow for some reason and common sense.

Europe protects us, when it updates Determination. I have always placed This conviction at the center of my vision of Europe. Only with appropriate determination we will be able to reconcile those who want to believe in Europe, and those who no longer believe in it.

The French, like the other Europeans, do not want, no more, to be satisfied only by Believing - they want something visible and tangible. It's not necessary to search elsewhere for the reasons of the emergence of Populist and anti-European tendencies.

Of course, absurdities and errors have been and are still committed by those who make of Europe a new ideology, and see, on the one side, the smart guys - let's say : the "Europeans" - while, on the other hand, the "Narrow-minded Populists" - will be called : the Souverainistes.

This Split is Absurd and nonsensical. Since Europe is the best choice for us, then, we must Recognize and Rectify (correct) all the serious Mistakes, which were committed, until they became Unbearable for a growing number of French People. We need to profoundly reshape our European policy. This is a clearly an obvious necessity, that no honest man could deny.

Europe must not degenerate into a caricature

Just because I believe in Europe, I would like to see it regain control on itself, by profoundly Changing from the immobility, to which it is  condemned by those who claim to defend Europe, but, in fact, let it degenerate in a mere caricature.

=> At First, there is the Big Question of the Personality of our Country, the Soul of France, its so distinct and unique Identity. The vehement opposition to the admission of one of our most brilliant Intellectuals, to the Académie Française, just because the title of his latest Book includes the word "Identity", is so stupid that brings one to tears. It's simply startling.

And I submit that there is no paradox, to plead for Europe, and at the same time for the preservation of our Identity, in other words :  for special Feature of our Model. It has never been Europe's goal, for us to become all similar, to live in the same way, and to be all in the same Mood.

Instead, the goal is for us to be able to coexist, to fraternize together, to support our fair interests vis a vis the rest of the World, and also to promote a European model of Civilization. Nothing can be build by flattening the World. We need the Diversity of Languages, of Cultures, of Ideas.

Yes, France does have certain things to say, a message to convey. And also Europe doesn't ask France to drop it. On the contrary, if we lose our Identity, what can we then share with others?

We have to be European, and French! This is possible, and, above all, its absolutely necessary and coherent. An attempt to build Europe against the National characteristics, would be doomed to failure from the outset. No one has the right to ask from the People, that they Renounce their own Nature!

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Germany is not an option - it is a fact

Then there is the German issue. Germany is not a choice, it' not an Alternative, but a Fact. The geography and history have made us neighbors. Has anyone ever seen a country to move to a different address? The economy has intertwined our interests in a decisive manner. We are their main customers. They are our main suppliers.

It's not about imitating Germany or criticizing it, whenever it's in many areas more successful than we are. .The only important thing is to make relations with our great neighbor as profitably as possible for both sides.

=> Therefore, I openly plead for the establishment of a large, coherent and stable Franco-German Economic Zone, at the Heart of €uroZone, which will allow us initially, by balancing our Fiscal and Social disadvantages compared to the German competition, to defend our interests better.

Furthermore, it will enableus to take the Lead among 18 countries in our Monetary Union. Let us  be Inspired by what works in Germany, and by the successes of France.

We should ensure a fair Balance in our relations. We should defend our red lines. Contrary to a frequently expressed view, just to be close to the Germans will give us  a stronger influence on them, and our weight in Europe will grow.

Who can seriously believe that an isolated France would be able to better defend its interests?

If Europe's two largest economic powers opt for economic and fiscal convergence, the €urozone will be profoundly strengthened, and the stability of our continent saved.

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The Right to freedom of Movement is a valuable Good

Must also be mentioned the essential Isssues of Migration Flows and the need to preserve the free movement of persons, which is an undeniable progress for all. The fact that in Europe, everyone has the right to move freely, is fortunate.

It's a Good which should be appreciated all the more, as 80 million of our European brothers were doomed, before not even 25 years, to live behind the "Wall of sShame".

A Communist Shame, which wanted, in the name of private property's rejection, to give to the State the Ownership of everything, even of the People, of their Spirit and their Soul.

This destructive ideology was defeated by the courage of John Paul II, of Lech Walesa, Vaclav Havel, and of those People who risked their lives in the Revolt against the Oppressors.

So, it's out of Question to take away from these People the freedom of movement again, after they shed so much blood in order to acquire this right.

The issue of "zero immigration" is an illusion

Nevertheless, you cannot continue to refuse to deal, calmly and objectively, with the issue of European migration policy.

We have here to do with a blatant Failure: First, because so many among our People can be captured under such Bad Conditions, without Home, without a Profession, without an Income, that any Hope to Integration is Denied to them.

On top of that, Europe, although it is the most open continent in the world, is always exposed to caricatural blames. But who has built a several thousand kilometers long barbed-wire Wall, on the border with Mexico, if not the United States?

Imagine in such a case in Europe the breakaway outcry! Europe is separated from Africa only by the twelve-kilometer-wide Strait of Gibraltar - thus the theme of "zero immigration" is a deceitful illusion.

However, we cannot continue to do, as if we believed still possible to take with us all those who wish. It is quite obvious that Schengen I must be immediately suspended, and replaced by a Schengen II, that the Member States could join only after introduction of a uniform immigration policy.

Thus, the abuse of process which allows a foreign national to enter the Schengen area, and then, as soon as this formality is fulfilled, to chose the country with the most generous benefits, would come to an End.

Europe should not serve deliberately - almost always at the expense of France - to organize social and migration Dumping. I contend that you can be thoroughly generous and deeply shaken from the events on Lampedusa  - and the same time sufficiently lucid to reject the lack of control of our migration policy, that leads us straight to disaster.

If we do not respond immediately in the coming years, our social pact is going to explode!

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The Myth of a Single Europe is broken

Finally, we should also be honest enough, to admit that the myth of a single Europe is broken,  since the introduction of the Single Currency by 18 out of 28 States.

There is no longer 1,  but 2 Europes. And, moreover, these two Europes are forced today to shape from scratch their strategies, towards Different directions :

More Integration for the 18, who share their Monetary Sovereignty between them ; for who can seriously believe that it is possible to have, also in the Future, one and same Currency, the same central Bank and Solidarity in the Debt Management - see the crisis in Greece - with such a Different Economic Policy and Competitiveness ?

If we don't Correct the above mentioned differences  immediately, we shall experience Shocks with unpredictable consequences.

At the same time, we must give up the myth of equal rights and equal responsibilities between all Member States.

It is in no way offensive to Cyprus, Malta and Luxembourg, when you realize that their weight and their responsibility in economic terms are not the same as in the case of France, Germany and Italy, to name but a few.
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Leadership is not a Right, it is a Duty

I say this to the Top Officials of France, as well as of Germany: Leadership is not a Right, but a Duty.

Germany and France have to assume most of the responsibility in the management of economic governance in the euro zone. No one can do it in their place.

However, Germany, as well as France, for historical and political reasons, canNot exercice this Leadership role Alone. Its legitimacy stands and falls with their Common commitment.

Once one partner falters, the entire balance is destroyed. The lack of leadership puts Europe at risk, because of the lack of Vision on a clear course and priorities.

The biggest Changes, however, must be made by the Europe of 28.. The real state of Paralysis, in which it finds itself, is now clearly visible.

*** One can easily imagine what the situation of this Europe of 28 would look like, if we hadn't stopped the Forced March-like driven process of integration of the big Turkish State inside the (European) Union !

And at the same time there is the risk of withdrawal of the United Kingdom because of the looming Referendum there. We need a sober and realistic look at the European Union of Today.

You cannot work with 28 Member States, the way it worked with 6, 9 or even 12 Member States. I sincerely believe that there will be no other alternative, but to drastically Restrict the Community competences.
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The current situation condemns us to impotence

The current situation is at the borderline of the Ridiculous, and condemns us to mpotence. We need to rethink from scratch the allocation of Competences of the Union and of the Member States, in order to gain in clarity and efficiency.

Europe, in the course of its development, has produced an Administrative Labyrinth, with the Commission and all its departments, wich, indeed, need to become busy. The result is hundreds of directives on various and often nonsensical topics.

Today, a drastic Intervention is required: Not less than Half of the current Community Competences must be Abolished, and in Future be handled by the individual States, so that Europe's powers can be summarized in less than Ten priority based Policies: Industry, Agriculture, Competition, Trade policy negotiations, Energy, Research ...

Shift the Blame for these problems  to the Commission and the President of the Commission  would not be fair, and, personally, I  have always denied me that.

>>> However, the Commission should have No Legislative powers - after all, we have a European Parliament which should be the only one to be entitled to the legislative authority.

The Commission, for its part, will remain entrusted with the functions of Implementation, Control and eventualy Sanctioning - which already represent a very large responsibility.

Apart from the mechanisms, moreover, a Clear course is Urgently needed. Or, there is no more any Resolute, Target-oriented (purposeful) Advance to announce, in a period where Unemployment reached unprecedented levels, where Austerity Government Policies hit hard many Europeans ? I cannot believe that, nor can I accept it.

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There are still so many things to say, so many suggestions to make, and Perspectives to design.

But it's time to come to a conclusion, and, therefore, I want to focus on the Essentials.

Nowhere else in the World, but in Europe, one had the intelligence and the wisdom to invent such an Original System, designed to serve Peace.

The Mistakes must be Corrected, but the Project in itself, is  to be protected. This is simply a matter of Civilization! We can not allow, today or tomorrow, for this Treasure to be Destroyed!  

***

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[NDLR : UPDATE Note of 24/5/2014 :

See, afterwards, also : http://www.eurofora.net/forum/index.php?&topic=704.0]

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