Newsletter August 2002
In the debate on Europe's future, one question that often arises is whether the Union should be developed towards a federal State (or a federation of States), or whether the forms of co-operation should be more intergovernmental in nature. The majority of the DG IV trainees said they preferred to see the Union develop towards a federal state. Many, however, thought that the focus - to begin with - should be on improving the basic functions and policies of the Union, and on clarifying what we expect from the EU. Only then, when we know how the Union could best carry out the tasks and policies assigned to it, should we start thinking about what kind of institutional structure would be most appropriate.
The participants also discussed the future role of the EU; whether they wished to see the Union as a world power, recognised as having diplomatic rights and also possessing a military capacity, or rather as it is at the moment, i.e. a unified market and an economic and monetary union. The former option was the one receiving most support, some expressing doubts about whether the EU could be taken seriously at all without a military capacity. People did, however, agree that the Union still lacks the instruments needed to become the "superpower" some people want it to be.
The third issue on the agenda was the forthcoming enlargement of the European Union. Mr. Cioffi stressed that the enlargement of the EU would be one of the major events of the 21st century and was interested in hearing whether the trainees were in favour of, or against the enlargement. Practically all the trainees said they were in favour of the enlargement, although some said they supported it politically but were more hesitant as to the economical implications. Hesitations were also expressed as to how the Union would work after the enlargement. It is clear that the transformation towards a Europe of almost thirty members clearly calls for a different approach from that fifty years ago, when six countries first took the lead in establishing the European Union. Who will the winners and losers be? Or should we make more of an effort not to think in terms of winners and losers? Some trainees clearly thought that too much energy has been wasted on calculating what the losses (to one´s own country) would be.
Altogether, it was a very fruitful meeting, and many interesting questions were touched upon. For the trainees, the meeting with Mr. Cioffi was an excellent opportunity to discuss this important crossroads, decisive for the future of Europe, and to learn to broaden their EU horizons.
Catharina Groop
(c) JW 2002
