"You have to be an optimist these days in Europe," was the consensus reached among political, business and society leaders speaking at the opening session of the European Economic Summit in Warsaw. "If we do not have hope," said Portugal's president Jorge Sampaio, "we will be overwhelmed by concerns."
This is what I wrote for the World Economic Forum's website (http://www.weforum.org). (read the session in full)
And there's a laundry list of concerns, let me tell you:
The Economy:
1. Europe has got to implement reforms and become more competitive. Antony Burgmans from Unilever said that Europe needs to work harder to achieve a "vibrant economy" and warned that Europe will lose its influence if it doesn't. But it already is.
The US has been able to get its way on several occasions in global trade negotiations thanks to EU states competing against each other! Is this the way forward? Surely "community" and "union" are the operative words here?
Politics:
2. The power in the punch Europe can pack is also sinking on the international stage. Portugal's President Jorge Sampaio told hundreds of people at the meeting that "we failed in the Middle East, we failed dramatically in having a common approach in Iraq" and more must be done to ensure Europe speaks with one voice.
Do you think Brussels is doing a good job of standing up and being counted on the world stage? But how can Europe act together? Take the case of Iraq: Poland, Spain, Italy and Britain were staunch supporters of Washington - a fact that irritated the hell out of French President Chirac heeheehee.
Democracy:
It was refreshing to hear the President of Portugal talk about the EU's democratic deficit. Apparently more than 40% of a European country's legislation is handed down from Brussels - from people we don't know, haven't elected and aren't in any way accountable to us. Is this the Europe we really want? And let's not kid ourselves here, the red tape and bureacracy is only going to get longer.
So what to do?
You guessed it, remain optimistic.
Antony Burgmans seemed to get it right: he urged people to get out and vote in the next EU parliamentary elections, and watch closely the debate on the new EU constitution. That view was seconded by Simon Wilson from the Social Platform who said the EU should be more inclusive.
Send me your thoughts on what Europeans are really worrying about! Also, ask questions that I'll pass on to the top business and political leaders here in Warsaw - and I'll try to get the direct answers back to you. No promises.... those dudes surrounding the hot shots talking into their collars can be a slight barrier...
In my opinion european politics have to reach the people - it doesn´t yet. When did you hear of the last decisions in the EU parliament? German news DAILY report about nearly everything that happens in the "Bundestag", about every little reform - might it be of interest, or not. It looks like european politicians in Brussles don´t want to be on TV?! Media has to make a bigger effort, to bring EU-relevant news in our everyday life. EU-politicians have to become the same "media-Stars" as counttry-wide politicians are now.
Posted by: Ingmar Bornholz | April 28, 2004 at 22:56