A Summit for the Future of Europe

Bucharest played host to an important Summit where the future of Europe was in the limelight

Corina Cristea, 17.05.2019, 13:25

At the end of a
long process of European reflection, the city of Sibiu in central Romania
played host to an informal summit of the European Union on May 9, the day Europe
celebrates the proclamation of the Schumann Declaration, which would become the
underlying document of the European Union. The EU27 Summit was focused on the
future of Europe. Unity is the principle that will set the basis of this
future, according to the Declaration of Sibiu, which includes the 10
commitments EU leaders have pledged to the citizens of member states regarding
their welfare and security. EU leaders have promised that Member States will be
united and solidary, with a single voice, always seeking common solutions. The
document also eyes the protection of the European way of life, democracy and
the rule of law and refers to one of the priorities of the Romanian Presidency
of the Council of the European Union, namely reducing development gaps within
the EU. Europe will be a responsible global leader, continuing to work with its
partners to uphold a rules-based international order. The list of commitments
is aimed at showcasing the EU’s determination for a common future, against the
backdrop of the United Kingdom leaving the EU. To what extent can these
commitments meet the demands at the level of member states? Dan Carbunaru, the
director of the multimedia portal caleaeuropeana.ro, told Radio Romania:

There are all sorts of
Eurobarometers indicating people’s needs with respect to security, economic
issues and our common perception of the EU. These are drafted in all member
states, in one form or another. The question is how to deliver. How can
European institutions find solutions jointly with Member States? There were
cases where, in times of crisis, concerning issues pertaining to migration or
economic and financial problems, Member States would blame Brussels, and in
turn Brussels said it did not have enough power. We must make a decision sooner
or later, to make this Union better, to make it deliver more and quicker on its
promises to the citizens. Some speak of the need for a new Treaty, while others
claim the Lisbon Treaty should be further explored, but at any rate the
decision rests with us. What is happening right now is not bad. Of course, we
want more, we want better and faster, but all EU Member States are now on the
rise economically speaking. The economic and financial crisis and the wave of
migrants are not as strong and no longer destabilize the continent as they once
did, from south to north. There are still prospects for a better life at EU
level.

Sibiu also
hosted a debate on the 2019-2024 strategic agenda of the European Union, to be
adopted by the European Council in June. The agenda includes major objectives,
such as protecting citizens’ rights and liberties, developing the economic
basis by mobilizing all relevant policies in the field, or securing a more
eco-friendly, balanced and inclusive future, while promoting European interests
and values worldwide. While they may sound general, these goals were formulated
particularly to allow each member state to promote and support its own
interests at the negotiation table. Ahead of the summit, 21 heads of state,
including from Romania, published an open letter, which states that the
European Union is facing severe challenges. Dan Carbunaru:

This initiative ensures a comfortable representation of European
citizens’ interests, at least in terms of numbers. Perhaps it is also proof
they are right, those who claim decision-making at EU level needs reforming.
Right now we find ourselves in a very peculiar situation, where both those who
want to give Europe more powers as wells as those who want Europe to have less
powers are complaining about insufficient decision-making. Well, talks are
ongoing in Brussels and some European capitals on this matter, over the way
decisions are being made. We are now talking about a Declaration, of course,
but there are other cases where important decisions have to be made by a
qualified majority, or even by unanimous vote in certain cases, and this has
often hampered Europe. It might explain why, for instance, while the Americans
have for months overcome the economic crisis, Europe is still analyzing its
effects and hesitating which way to go. This won’t be the last crisis we’ve
seen. The migration crisis is now on the wane, but it can always rebound. The
economic crisis too, the way capital is circulated around the world, can always
resurface.

There are
currently multiple crises looming over us, Dan Carbunaru said. This is why we
should have a common vision for our future, one that we can all enjoy equally.

(Translated by V. Palcu)