newsitems Zeller's memorial zeal stimulates fresh Franco-German will to boost EU role in the World
Zeller's memorial zeal stimulates fresh Franco-German will to boost EU role in the World
A fresh Franco-German will to boost EU's role and Values in the World, before a key Sarkozy-Merkel summit in Berlin next week, was stimulated by the hommage paid in Strasbourg to the memory of Alsace Region's f. head, Adrian Zeller's zeal "to prepare the Metropolis of Superior Rhine's area" (OberRhein), as his faithfful 1st vice-President, Bernard Stoessel, said to "Eurofora", after a ceremony hailed by French Prime Minister Francois Fillon, and German key Minister Wolfgang Schaüble, together with thousands of People, EU and CoE's Officials at Strasbourg's Cathedral.
Prime Minister Fillon, followed in Strasbourg by several French Ministers of Justice (Alliot-Marie), Environment, Energy and Transports (Borloo), Interior (Hortefeux), EU affairs (Lellouche), Courts (Bockel)n Senate's President Larcher, EU Commissioner Barrot, Top MEP, Barnier, etc, stressed that Zeller's work at EU core's "Rhenan region" was a "struggle for a fraternal Europe, that he could not conceive otherwise but united and stimulated by the Franco-German friendship".
At the same time, "Zeller's Party was that of Good People", "independent and conscious", "honouring the light which exists in every Human being" : "In the name of a Humanism" which "did not dissociate Economic and Social progres", he pioneered the creation of a "Minimum Revenue for Existence" as early as since 1986. Something particularly useful today, "in front of the abuses of a Financial Capitalism without Morals", because of his "refusal to let our World be deprived of its most essential Values", observed Fillon.
Confirming a joint Franco-German will to relaunch EU's role, German key-Minister Wolfgang Schaüble, of Chancellor Angie Merkel's CDU/CSU party, spoke of EU's core as "our Common Home" in Strasbourg's "Superior Rhine area" (OberRhein), and praised Zeller's life-long belief that, "born at the hardest moments of 2nd World War", "the only way to a Future of Peace and Prosperity" is to boost by the "Franco-German friendship" a "United Europe".
They both referred also to Zeller's famous will to boost protection of Natual Environment at EU's core-region of Strasbourg's Alsace, thanks to "Scientific Innovation", able to develop EU's industry above competition by low-technology and polluting countries such as India or Turkey, etc. (as he had said in an interview). Zeller was proud to speak about "Innovation" and "Environment" in Alsace, showing to "EuroFora" fex. the EU prize it won as "1st" European Region on "Energy Efficiency", awarded for 2008 by EU Commissioner on Environment, Costas Demas.
Fillon concluded by an appeal for a "more united Europe with resolve", thanks to the same "Spirit" that French President Sarkozy highlighted earlier this week in his Annual European and Foreign Policy speech :
- Today, "Europeans" must "reply to the Question" if they "want for the EU to become a Power", "to be one of the main Actors of the 21st century", in order "to make things happen" at the International stage, "instead of being (only) affected by them". "If Europe really wants, Europe can do it". "All EU member States are equal, but it's the Responsibility of the biggest EU countries, as France and Germany", to "get more actively committed" : "EU had arrived at a halt, because bigger countries didn't put in the European motor enough fuel to go forward", Sarkozy said in Paris.
- "For Europe to become anew able to make History, instead of being only affected by it, EU must assert its Values", i.e. Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, "and defend them, without being aggressive, but by taking a firm stance". That's why, "Big Countries must show the way, our Values". Because, EU "has Values, it has an Identity", for which "some things are Unacceptable", stressed Sarkozy, referring to some examples of Human Rights' violations, refusals to acknowledge an internationaly recognized State, excessive "bonuses" to Financial Market actors irresponsibly playhing with Energy or Food prices at Stock Markets, etc.
German Chancellor Angie Merkel, reportedly reacted from Berlin by marking her agreement with Sarkozy's criticism against any "return back to abuses in the Financial Markets", at a moment when EU and the World should focus on overcoming the Global Cirisis.
Symbolically, ECHR's President, Jean-Paul Costa, who currently prepares a Top-level Conference for a much-needed reform to revitalize the panEuropean mecanism for the protection of Human Rights at Swiss ressort of Interlaken, early 2010, was present at the Franco-German hommage paid to Zeller.
- Zeller's "Human, Political and Moral stature reminds (christian catholic) pope Benedict's 2009 encyclic, which stresses that Human Development is impossible without faithfull People, consciously dedicated to struggle for the General Interest" and Humanity's Common Good, said from the outset Strasbourg's Bishop Mgr. Gralet. He was followed by christian protestant leader Collange, who hailed Zeller as "the most Protestant among Catholics", and "open to Inter-Religious Dialogue".
In substance, the French President lauched a call to fight against Cheap Labour obtained by violating Human Rights and/or Labour Law, and by Polluting factories damaging the Natural Environment, because this is equivalent to Unfair Competition, "Social and/or Environmental Dumping",
Sarkozy also launched a call for a UNO, (as well as IMF and World Bank), with more "Legitimity", i.e. not reduced into a mere toy of a few, but becoming part of a larger and more Democratic International Community, with a "New Global Governance" in a "Multi-Polar world".
The current Franco-German wish to act now, together with various allies, at a World level, was reflected also at Zeller's memorial ceremony : - "He (Zeller) wanted to promote Strasbourg's region as Europe in the whole World : He was a Globalist", said to "EuroFora" the President of EU Parliament's largest Group (ChristianDemocrats/EPP), Joseph Daul.
Former EuroMEP at EU Parliament in Strasbourg and Minister, after working at EU Commission in Brussels, until now member of CoE's Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, (where he recently spoke at a PanEuropean debate on LRA's contribution to overcome the Economic Crisis), Zeller headed Strasbourg's Region Alsace during almost all 15 Years of "EuroFora"' founder's work as a Journalist in the European Press (1996 - 2009), Thus he was naturally one among the first to be informed on "EuroFora" project, as he had willingly invited us to do on 2007, giving his personal details.
"EuroFora" had been surprised to hear Zeller, a notoriously pro-Regionalist, address a CoE Conference on "Regionalism and Europe" by stressing the fact that "in France, everything important is always decided at the Top of the State, ..including Regionalisation"... Experienced politician, he realized that a firm belief on the capacities of regional grass-roots energies at Local and Citizens' level, should go together with far-reaching views at the Political Top of big States, European and International organizations.
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Significantly, all these recent moves came shortly before an important Franco-German Summit Sarkozy - Merkel in Berlin (31/8/09), which precedes a key Foreign Minister's "Gymnich" meeting on September 4 in Sweden, due to prepare crucial issues for decision by EU Chiefs if State/Government on December 2009.
This is added to an important G-14 Global Economy gathering at Pittsburg, on September 24 and 25, as well as to the preparation of the forthcoming Copenhagen World Summit for the protection of Climate, December 2009, as Sarkozy observed, calling to open World-wide Debates, actively involving the International Public Opinion, on all those topical Global issues.
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It's important to create a synergy between "mutually stimulating" EU Countries' moves in order to overcome an "Unjust" Crisis "imported from USA", stressed new French Minister for Economic Revival, Patrick Devedjian, in Strasbourg, warning also that, while hoping for a vigorous Obama US Plan, nevertheless, "Time" is of essence for Europe...
In fact, it's EU's own interest to act Fast, before June 2009 EU Election, since, with Lisbon Treaty not ratified yet, it cannot face again the risk of a Majority Abstention, as back in 1999 and 2004, nor another "anti-EU" mood among Citizens, as in the 2005 French and Dutch "No", followed by the 2008 Irish "No", without endangering rare Historic opportunities, currently open for the EU, whose future is at stake.
From Social issues up to High-Tech Scientific Research, concrete action for Economic revival started from Strasbourg and its European dimension, for the new super-Minister Patrick Devedjian, who visited a Popular Social Housing and Infrastructure project at nearby Hagenau village, before meeting new leaders of Strasbourg's unified mega-University in a Scientific Labo at the Campus, close to EU Parliament and CoE headquarters.
Devedjian, who met also with all the spectrum of Local Political deciders of Alsace region, close to FrancoGerman borders, wants for deeds to meet the words, in real practice, whenever politicians speak about Strasbourg and Europe's development.
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Devedjan to "EuroFora" : "European coordination can act as a multiplicator by mutual stimulations"
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Devedjian was questioned by "Euro-Fora" on his expectations for reciprocal effects of coordinated European plans :
- "We are living in a (European and Global) system where borders are transparent : When we take measures in France, they produce effects also in Germany, in Belgium, Italy, Spain, or other EU countries, and vice-versa. "So, we can have mutually stimulating effects between national revival Plans, if they are somehow coordinated", ..."They can augment each other's effects, acting as multiplicators and levers". "As a State stimulates Local authorities and Private business, similarly, each EU country's economic revival plan may multiply the effects of other EU countries' actions", he told us.
- "F.ex., when I visited Strasbourg University's Scientific labos, they told me that part of the renovation, funded by France, is realized by German companies located only a few Kms away from the border. Thus, the French revival plan benefits also the German economy. And vice-versa : when Germany takes certain measures, they can have beneficial effects also for French companies"
In an era of Globalisation, "nobody can close and isolate himself inside a Fish-Bowl !", he concluded.
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Economy's revival starts from Strasbourg and Europe, for new French Minister Devedjian
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This could be one of the reasons for which the new French Minister for Economic Stimulus chose to make his 1st visit to Strasbourg, the headquarters of European and Paneuropean Institutions, in the Franco-German river borders at the heart of Europe.
- "It was President Sarkozy's idea", he revealed, adding also fresh "support to Strasbourg's European vocation, not only with words, but also with deeds" :F.ex., the completion of a High-Speed Train network, due to stimulate fast links with Germany, Austria, Italy, Hungary and other central EU Countries.
- "This Crisis is Unjust for Europe, because it wasn't its fault". The greatest part of the "Crisis was imported from the USA, where problems are deeper than here'', in the EU. The Crisis "wasn't due to a bad managment by Europe", who was affected by problems which emerged elsewhere. That's why Europe must be united and active enough to face this challenge. said Devedjian, who has just won +5% in popularity...
- "I hope that there will be an "Obama-effect" also on Economy, and that the Plan of the New American President will be substantial enough to face this crisis, which is worse in the USA than in our area", Europe, he added.
"Economic Revival overcomes political divisions : F.ex. Strasbourg's Socialist Mayor "Ries agreed that State actions funded by Public Debt are justified during such exceptional circumstances", noted the Center-Right republican Minister.
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"Zeitnot" for 2009 EU Elections ?
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"My problem is Time", stressed Devedjian from the outset, at Strasbourg's University. "I have to engage 75% of funds in 2009, out of a total of 29 Billion euros", he explained later. "Monitoring will be of essence", because we must "avoid bureaucracy or delays. No project should get lost or neglected in complex meanders of adminstrative offices' moving sands", he warned.
- "I must create activities in the middle of the Crisis", he added. Questioned by EuroFora whether he aims to start creating some "hopes before the June 2009 EU Elections", Devedjian, a former leader of the Governing Political Party in France: UMP, did not immediately reply, but revealed, later, that he "hoped to start at least some Projects on May 2009, even if the bulk of Revival Plan's effects are "expected from Autumn 2009".
However, with only 30% of EU Citizens currently aiming to cast a vote at the forthcoming EU Elections on June, (See other NewStory), the coordinated moves' results are expected to be crucial for Citizens' participation and votes at the forthcoming June 2009 EU Elections throughout all 27 EU Member Countries...Thus, it's vital for all Europe's own Future that coordinated national Economic revival plans start to have concrete results and create hopes for new dynamics before the June 2009 EU Election...
A real challenge, since careful choices are needed : Our aim is to fund projects which "create activities", even "in the middle of the crisis", and have a "lever effect, attracting other investments", Devedjian said. Because the "Stimulus' Plan has 2 aims : A Tactical one : to create New Activities. And a Strategic one : Choose what can become efficient and useful also in the Long-term".
- "Are you ready ?", he asked Strasbourg University's new President, professor Alain Beretz, with some 700 million euros in his pockets for Education-Research in France. - "We are !", he replied.
- "The Minister's initiative can accelerate funds, and Time is important for us. This concerns the entire renovation of all our buildings", said to "EuroFora" President, Beretz. "I showed some Scientific Research Labos to Mr. Devedjian. But, If we had more time, I could show him also some Education Amphis, whose condition needs to meet Strasbourg's new Mega-University's ambition" to reach the 10 best in the World, as Prime Minister Fillon earlier anounced here.
(Devedjian kicks off his Economic Revival tour from Strasbourg University, meeting with its new chairman Beretz, at Scientific Institute Le Bel)
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Regional Prefectures should gather and select projects to be presented for decision before the end of January 2009.
A well-known close friend of President Sarkozy, who succeeded as EU Chairman to launch, in agreement with German chancelor Merkel and even British prime minister Brown, vigorous EU actions against the Financial/Economic Crisis, (starting from the 1st Historic Summit of EuroZone's Heads of State/Government, October 12 at Elysee Palace, followed by Washington G20 Global Summit), Devedjan will have a key role in the realisation of National and EU plans recently agreed in Brussels.
President Sarkozy is expected to arrive himself in Strasbourg, on the occasion of the official inauguration of its brand New Mega-Hospital, on the 9th of January 2009, at the eve of EU Parliament's session here, Elysee confirmed shortly after Devedjian's visit.
EU is due to review its economic revival plans at March 2009 EU Council in Prague, before the April 2 London Global Summit.
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Multi-facet concrete activities at focus : Stimulus Minister Devedjian at the Political, Social and High-Tech fronts in Strasbourg...