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Home arrow newsitems arrow EUParliament Head Sassoli in PACE: Crucial Moment for Future of Europe Conference

EUParliament Head Sassoli in PACE: Crucial Moment for Future of Europe Conference

Written by ACM
Wednesday, 21 April 2021

euparl_head_sassoli_at_pace_coe_video_eurofora_screenshot_400


*Strasbourg/Angelo Marcopolo/- Paradoxicaly, it's in the Oldest and Largest PanEuropean Organisation of the CoE, (aged 72 y.o. and Extending from Iceland and the UK up to Vladivostok with 47 Member-Countries), that EU Parliament's President, David Sassoli chose to launch the strongest plaidoyerie for the reNewal of Europe's Core, through a Landmark "Conference on the Future of Europe", a 2-Years-Long, and Original process, due to be soon Inaugurated here in Strasbourg on May 9, (Europe's and Joan d'Arc's Day), around 27 Member States spearHeaded by the Franco-German couple, accross a Rome-Athens' axis, and reinfotrced by Mittel-Europa's progressive extension Eastwards.

Sassoli spoke, Today, to CoE's Parliamentary Assemby (PACE), which is Complementary to that of EU Parliament (EP) since its MEPs are chosen among the National MPs of Member States, while EU Parliament has its own European MEPs. Moreover, PACE now Extends to the UK, Russia, and many Other Eastern Neighbouring Countries, including even Controversial Turkey, (a Cold-War remnant), while EP doesN't. Most Important, PACE has progressivel Focused mainly on Legal Instruments, while EP pursued further EU's Economic and Political policies becoming a More Integrated area.

- But, the main point, Nowadays, is that, as Jean Monnet used to say  _ "Europe has been Built through the Crises it Faces", Sassoli reminded. And, "Today, we are in the Midst of a Major Crisis : that of the COVID-19 Pandemic"  A "Crisis described by Edgar Morin recently, as "Total"", "because the Pandemic h    s Disrupted Every aspect of our lives : Health, Relationships with others, Wprk, Education, the Economy", etc. he observed.

 => Therefore, "We must Build the World of Tmorrow, bequeathing to our younger generations a Heritage of Values (as those of the older CoE) that can dialogue with the contemporary sworld, that can defend respect for human rights, human dignity and freedom", he stressed. So, "it is in this Context that on 9 May we will be launching the Conference on the Future of Europe, ...Our aim is to offer a moment of reflection on the lessons of this crisis and on how to strengthen and update European Democracy. Which is the Best Time to do this? Well, at Present. There is no better time, and After COVID-19 it would be too late. That is why it is very important that this Reflection on ourselves, on the efficiency, effectiveness and Modernisation of European Democracy, takes place Now", Sassoli pointed out.

- But in a New, Different Way than in the Past : Because "We Need a more Efficient, more flexible, more resilient and also More Democratic European Union" he stressed: - In consequence, this "Conference will be an Unprecedented event, Offering All European Citizens, public opinion, our young people, organisations in the world of work and business and our national institutions, the Opportunity to Shape the Future, their future. National and regional parliaments, as well as civil society, local actors, Researchers, our Universities will Also play an important Role in this Debate", President Sassoli Vowed. And, "At the same time, the European Parliament will also Learn Lessons from the Vrisis we are going through. In order to keep the Flame of Democracy Alive, we have been forced to Change ...face of the and 'this has been reflected in all our institutions. ...we have had to adapt and renNew. Now is the time to Think more broadly about how our Assembly works to Ensure that it embodies the Democratic Ideal we Want to represent".

- " The fact that we are initiating Debates" is due to "our Duty, Today, to ...Imagine and Build" a Bettter "World", while being "Concerned that our Values are being put to the Test Today, more than ever, everwhere" : "Freedom", "Information", "rule of Law and Democracy", "Human Rights", even "Peace", he Warned, among "New Challenges" too, facing which, "the progress made in the field of human rights and democracy is being called into Question".

=> Let's seek the best Answers, then, But with, Not withOut the Motivated European People ! Significantly, Speaking to "Eurofora" in Brussels, earlier, at the Conclusion of his Press Conference on an EU Heads of State/Government Summit, EU Parliament's President had Urged for "Strong Voices" among EU "Citizens", (..., etc+).

>>> Hic Rhodus, hic saltus !

 

(../..)

 

 

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 sarko_merkel_mieux

The official presentation of a "Program" respecting People's choices voted in the June 7, 2009 EU Elections, to be debated in EU Council and EU Parliament during its 1st Session on July in Strasbourg, is the No 1 Priority, according to Democratic principles, for the Franco-German axis, said the main winners at the ballot box, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angie Merkel.

They stressed  that the New EU Commission's President must have a "Program" in favor of an EU which "protects" its Citizens, regulates financial markets and aims at a "Political" Europe" : a wording they have used as incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid.

They also declared ready for a "political" endorsment of "Mr. Barroso's candidacy" in June's EU Council, considering that an official decision would have to be made after EU Parliament's debates and votes, possibly from next month (July), with the legally necessary final acceptance shortly after Lisbon Treaty's entry into force, hoped for September or October.


- "A Program, and Mr. Barroso" : This resumes, in substance, the anouncements made by Sarkozy and Merkel, on the question of current EU Commission's President, Barroso's declared wish to succeed to himself for a second mandate, to be extended during the following 5 years.

 In their 1st meeting after EU Elections, they observed that "the Franco-German axis counted in European Elections' campaign... But, we both keep a realistic view : We saw the number of those who abstained, and we must absolutely give them an answer. We also see the disilusionment of an important number of Europeans vis a vis Europe, and we are aware of the responsibilities we have".

sarko

 - The "Duty" of the new EU Commission's President, after June 7, 2009 EU Elections' result, "is to act for a Europe which protects the Europeans, to commit himself into working for a better Regulation of Financial transactions, ... and to have a Political will for Europe", underlined Sarkozy.

Therefore, "we have asked M. Barroso... to clarify, to officialy present the intentions he has", he anounced.

- "We want to speak also about the Programme", explained Merkel.

- "It's important that for the next EU Parliament's mandate (2009-2014) we take the right Decisions for Europe.  Obviously on Persons, but mainly Decisions on Issues", she stressed.

- "It's not simply a question of a Person, it's also a question of a Programme". We are "really asking Mr. Barroso to commit himself on a Program, and on Principles, on Values", Sarkozy added.

EU President-in-office, Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer, accepted the Franco-German stance :

- "Barroso must present his Programme. The Czech Presidency agrees with that", Fischer reportedly said later, after meeting Sarkozy.

But Press reports from Brussels claimed that Barroso had preferred to be officially appointed by EU Council since June, (i.e. next week), "because this was implied by the current Treaty of Nice, according to him", and considered any delay until the possible ratification of the new, Lisbon Treaty on September/October, as "undemocratic".

- "At any case, independently of what Germany and France ask, it's also EU Parliament's wish". "We shall propose Mr Barroso's candidacy... But even in the framework of Nice Treaty, EU Parliament has to be associated in this Decision", the French President observed.

If this is correctly done, then "we support Mr. Barroso's candidature", and "if the (EU) Parliament agrees, we might ratify this decision since July", (i.e. next month), they both said.

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- "France and Germany support Baroso's candidacy, But we want to speak also on the Program. We believe that this Program should be established in close cooperation with EU Parliament, and that's why we have followed an appropriate way", said Merkel.  - If EU Parliament wants, this election can take place on July,  but this must be done in full agreement.

- "We shall support Mr. Barroso's candidacy, without doubt", said Sarkozy. "But we have asked from Mr. Barroso, as I told him yesterday, to put into detail.. his intentions, at the eve of his 2nd mandate, if the situation avails itself.


    France and Germany "don't want to take an Official Legal Decision by writting" during "the next (EU) Council" (on June 18-19), declared Sarkozy.  Because they prefer, at this stage, only "a Political decision" on June, "so that we (EU Council) can work together with EU Parliament", which starts to meet only Next Month, since July in Srasbourg, "leaving a Legal decision by writting for later".

    - "If the Conditions are fuillfiled in EU Parliament, we (EU Council) are ready to give the agreement and make it offficial", said Merkel

    - "But, now we are working in the base of Nice Treaty. If tommorow we want to work in the spirit of Lisbon Treaty, we have to find a proper way", she added.

    - "Of course it's Legally complicated, because we are going to make a Political proposal to the forthcoming Council, for an EU Commission's President, on the basis of Nice Treaty : So, we (EU Council) will not appoint the Commissioners. Only the President.  If EU Parliament agrees, it could endorse this position on July", explained Sarkozy.

    But, on Autumn, "if Ireland ratifies Lisbon Treaty, there will be, at any case, a 2nd Decision, to appoint the Commission's President, this time on the basis of Lisbon treaty, and then, we, the EU Member States, would have to appoint (also) the EU Commissioners", he added.

    As for the precise Timing :  - "Everything is suspended until the Irish vote... Now, we must all make everything possible to help Ireland to say "Yes"" to Lisbon Treaty... The Irish Referendum, ..will take place either on September or on October. It's a Question which depends on the Irish. And,  then, we shall have the Choice of the Candidates for the permanent Institutions of Europe".

    However, "if Ireland says No, we, French and Germans, have to assume our responsibilities, and we'll do so", he concluded.

    But British and Swedish governments were reportedly eager to have a final EU Council decision on Barroso since this month, on June's European Council. While the other EU Member Countries are divided, several of them preferring to wait until EU Parliament pronounces itself, on July, and/or until Lisbon Treaty might be ratified by Ireland at the beginning of the Autumn. Barroso's current mandate ends on November.

    There are also various, contradictory and/or unpredictable reactions inside EU Parliament vis a vis Barroso's wish to continue a 2nd mandate, because many MEPs are openly or secretly opposed, reluctant, or hesitating.

    In the biggest EU Countries, as France and Germany, EU Citizens voted on June 2009 EU Elections for a renovated, non-technocratic but Political Europe which cares for its Citizens, with an Identity, Values and Borders, declared incompatible with Turkey's controversial EU bid, by mainstream, pro-European Governing Parties. Similar choices were also supported in several other small or medium EU Countries.

    On the contrary, whenever, in other Countries, Governing and other mainstream Parties didn't make these choices or eluded them, EU Citizens massively voted for euro-Sceptics whenever they were the only ones to to promise anti-bureacratic change and oppose Turkey's demand to enter into the EU, (f.ex. in the UK, Netherlands, etc).

    It's seems to be an Open Question whether Sarkozy and Merkel's conditions will be really accepted by Barroso, who was appointed on 2004 in a different political context, (with Socialist Prime Ministers in Germany, France, etc), had rejected in the Past the idea of EU becoming "equal to the USA" as "ridiculous", and pushed for Turkey's contoversial EU bid, trying to "soften" or contain the changes desired by the People who voted for Merkel and Sarkozy with another policy vis a vis Turkey on 2005 in Germany and on 2007 in France, as they did all over Europe on 2009.

    In addition to many EPP Governments, it's 3 remaining Socialist Prime Ministers : Gordon Brown in the UK, Zapatero in Spain, and Socrates in Prortugal, who support Barroso, as well as Liberal Swedish Prime Minister Reinfeldt. But their Parties lost the June 2009 EU Elections.

    Questioned whether there was still "Time" for "other" possible "Candidates", Sarkozy and Merkel did not deny, nor made any comment on that, but simply said that "it's not for us to make publicity for any candidates. We anounced our choice ("A Program, and Mr. Barroso"). But we respect any other candidate".

    Among various other names cited are former Belgian Prime Minister Verhofstadt, former UNO's Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson of Ireland, Italian former EU Commission's vice-President Monti, etc. Meanwhile, Luxembourg's PM Juncker, (who had been unanimously accepted by EU Council for EU Commission's Presidency on 2004, but refused), announced his intention to resign from "EuroGroup"'s Chair. Thus, he might be available for another Top EU job.

    As "EuroFora"'s "opinion" said (See publication dated 9/6/09) : - "If the current candidates (i.e. Barroso, etc) to the Top EU jobs promise and guarantee to respect People's democratic choices, then, it's OK".

"Otherwise, Europe must find new candidates, really motivated and able to implement these democratic choices of the People."

    Because, "in Democracy, the forthcoming choices for EU's Top Jobs,...should be made according to EU Citizens' Votes in June 7, 2009 European Elections, and main EU Governments' strategic policies".
        

***

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