Challenges for the European Union

Posted by Damian Kwapisiewicz

Joseph Daul is a French politician and Member of the European Parliament for the East of France. He is a member of the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP), a member-party of the European People's Party (EPP). The Chairman of the EPP Group in the European Parliament. He is also the Chairman of the European Parliamentary Association (EPA), which has its seat in Strasbourg and which aims to make parliamentary life more convivial, allowing Members of the European Parliament to establish contacts in academic, economic and cultural circles.

How can we avoid situations like the one in Greece? Is there a way the citizens could help?

Joseph Daul: It is not possible to sustain prosperity without hard work. European citizens of some countries work very hard and demand fewer benefits whereas citizens of some other European countries manage to get away with less work and obtain much more benefits at the same time. It has become clear that if the EU is to prosper, we need to have clear rules that would apply to all countries equally. I believe we need more Europe, which means we need a communitarian European approach and a better balanced economic policy. We are working on this in order to prevent future debt crises. Besides hard work, Europe needs a clear sense of solidarity. The European citizens of various countries have shown extreme measure of solidarity as their governments decided to help Greece and ensure stability of the euro. It was solidarity that has given the European unification project nobility and strength and has kept the EU countries together over many crises in the past.

Finally, citizens of many European countries have or are currently undergoing difficult reforms, which are necesary to get their economies back in shape and ensure their countries will be a strong link in the European alliance. Do you think that people will still have confidence in the euro and the idea of the European Union after such experiences? In Britain it is already strongly suggested that the Prime Minister David Cameron should withdraw from the EU. Will other countries adopt the same position?

Daul: According to the latest Eurobarometer, a large majority of Europeans, while being worried about the current political crisis, desires a strong euro and is in favor of the coordinated EU measures, which aim to support the common currency. In terms of the UK, I want to stress that if the euro area is in the current difficulties, it is also because that particular country has refused for decades to play the European game, especially in the field of tax harmonization.

Mr. Cameron is now in no position to complain as he continues to claim exemptions on everything. Doesn't another crisis confirm that we are led by a false consciousness of goals and expectations?

Daul: The key motive behind the creation of the European Union has been ensuring peace and prosperity for the European peoples. The EU has indeed succeeded in this over more than half century since Jean Monnet and Robert Schumann conceived its creation. Our expectations are sometimes very high and need to be confronted with the reality. European Union is relatively young and is still growing and developing. It is a project that is evolving and will not be completed for many decades to come. Our time is crucial as we trail out the path of the development of the EU for the future generations.

What is the effect of the 'gluttony' of the banks and their incautious customers on the collapse of the financial systems?

Daul: Besides governments that accumulated undue debts, the financial sector has certainly played a significant role in the development of the current crisis. Dissolution of common values during the time of the boosting economy has led to greed and promises of easy profits on overly risky investments that turned markets excessively volatile when their frail basis was exposed. This is why we have proposed measures and regulations in the European Union that would prevent such a situation in the future.

Should we create an organization which could be called an 'ubiquitous guardian ' capable of warning us against economic and political threats? Can we prevent social explosions, such as those in North Africa which could have been easily predicted?

Daul: We have to distinguish between the Arab Spring revolutions and the economic crisis in Europe.

In terms of our internal crisis, the European Union has proposed far-reaching measures as a new economic governance to ensure that this kind of crisis is not going to happen in the future. Creating a currency without giving it the necessary governance was a political error and we have learned from our mistakes. We are witnessing impressive changes in Greece and Italy, with the formation of national unity governments, which I welcome; changes in Germany with the extraordinary pro-European position of the CDU, with which I firmly agree. A lot has to be done and has to be done quickly. I believe Europe has the required political will. On the other hand, the Arab Spring has shown that democracy is not unique to the Christian or Western civilization. When people are faced with totalitarian oppression and brutality they stand up against it. We have welcomed this state of affairs and are ready to help countries rebuild their future in a democratic and peaceful way.

Who is a moral and who is an amoral politician?

Daul: A strong sense of morality should be a prerequisite for any politician. A moral politician is a politician who thinks and works first and foremost for the benefit of the people and for the common good of the society. This must not remain in a philosophical realm, but should be seen even in small daily decisions a politician takes. I am proud that in the EPP group we have politicians like those who truly care for the development of the European society. I believe it is only this kind of politics that can succeed in the long-term and it is only this kind of politics that I personally and as a president of the largest group in the European parliament support.

What can be done so that millions of citizens of Europe will be governed by wise and responsible people who will not submit to pressure from rebellious masses, trade union and business interests?

Daul: Each European citizen can vote and therefore determine who will govern his or her country or represent them in the European parliament. Democratic elections ensure citizens' will is respected. Responsible citizen should therefore follow the political positions, revise programmes of political parties and to the best of their ability to evaluate them critically. This is the best way to ensure that the people who represent you are worthy of your vote.

Is the crisis a special time during which we can turn a blind eye to certain behaviors and which at the same time, requires us to take tough and unpopular decisions?

Daul: Crisis is precisely the time of an opportunity to improve and eliminate the behaviours that have caused us problems. It reveals what has gone wrong and we should never turn a blind eye towards this, especially not during the time of crisis. At the same time, this insight during the time of crisis can help us make the difficult decisions and appropriate reform, because it helps everyone understand why they are necessary.

Having learned the lessons from the crisis - do you think that a transnational European government would be able to establish such regulatory principles which would prevent future financial collapses?

Daul: I am certain that the principal lesson of the crisis is precisely that we need more Europe. As mentioned above, the European Union is establishing mechanisms that will help EU member states deal with the crisis better and prevent their economies to go bankrupt ever again. The EU has a unique position to do this in a non discriminatory, fair and objective manner, which gives it credibility and eases acceptance of the measures agreed in all 27 member states.

Should the EU try (and perhaps take the initiative) to stop the division of Europe into two parts - the stable North and the trembling South?

Daul: We are doing everything possible to keep the EU together and to ensure that no countries, south or north, east or west, will feel excluded, but that all will continue to build Europe as our common home.

Now it's the East which is the political and economic world's centre. What can Europe do to become once again a major player both politically and economically?

Daul: Europe remains the biggest global power in international trade and is a key partner to both West and East. The development of the East would not be possible without strong European economy that provides a market also for Asian goods. In order to keep the pace with the East, Europe invests (and I believe should invest more) in innovation and research. In this field Europe has been lacking and we can see the consequences of this today. I have always strongly supported increase in the investment in innovation and research as well as in education that will bring Europe forward and will ensure a brighter future for the next generations of Europeans.

Up until now, we could have observed that each crisis actually solidified Europe's integration. Can we expect such a scenario this time too?

Daul: Europe has seen many crises over the past fifty or sixty years and we have seen that Europe has indeed emerged stronger and more united after each crisis. I believe that it will be the same with the current crisis, but we do need to put a lot of work into finding the best possible solutions today.

Can we say that John Paul II was a man whose character united whole Europe?

Daul: John Paul II was an extraordinary man. He has also been one of the key personalities that made the reunification of Europe possible. I remember him greeting the 2004 enlargement, when eight former communist countries became EU members, by saying that Europe has finally started to breathe with both lungs. His prominent personality, his courage and his spiritual depth have crucially contributed to the fall of the Iran curtain, which has been a prerequisite for the unification of Europe.

In your opinion, are the projects currently carried out by the European Union compatible with the ideas of John Paul II?

Daul: John Paul II once said that 'war is a defeat for humanity.' The project of the European Union is a project of freedom, peace and well being of all European citizens. It is up to us to ensure that Europe will not forget about its core founding principles, but will strengthen them.

What lessons can politicians draw from John Paul II's teachings?

Daul: John Paul II serves us politicians as a great example of how much good can be achieved by hard work, courage and determination, when one's actions are grounded in search for truth and justice.

 If you had such an opportunity, what question would you ask the Polish Pope?

Daul: I would ask him where he drew all the energy from for his tireless travel and work, strength for his humility and goodness and unrelenting positive spirit until the very end of his life here on Earth.

What are the challenges Europe faces?

Daul: The key challenge that has always faced Europe and is perhaps even more obvious today is how we will be able to unite in diversity, to bring our different cultures, interests and ideas together in solidarity and understanding of each other to enrich our common European project.

What attitude should Europe adopt with respect to the 'Arab Spring'? What measures ought to be undertaken as for the immigrants fleeing from countries engulfed in chaos?

Daul: Europe is doing everything possible to help countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Lybia, Bahrain, Yemen, and Syria to establish themselves as stable and peaceful democracies. We would like to help the citizens of these countries to anticipate their brighter future in their homelands. Besides that, Europe has accepted many immigrants that have fled the destitute and often war-torn homes. Nevertheless, as a principle, Europe should help rebuild their homes and their communities, which is what their countries need most.

Do you believe that the economic and political crises will finally force a change in the unjust world order?

Daul: We have to start with changes at home first. I believe that the European Union will continue to be an example to other continents and therefore continue helping to alter this world towards the better.

What is the Europe of your dreams?

Daul: It is Europe where all European citizens live in harmony with each other in a stable and working democracy and where all member states feel part of a European family, living together in unity and peace.

What position should Europe adopt as for the increase in number of Muslims? What do you think about Switzerland's decision to ban a construction of a mosque few years ago?

Daul: European Union lays on strong foundations based on strong values. One of our firm beliefs, clearly stated in the EU Treaty, is to combat discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Therefore, this is not a subject to be debated. As regards, Switzerland's decision to ban the building of a mosque I would like to underline that all these topics related to conviction, be it religious or humanistic believe, should be addressed in a context of dialogue. I personally don't agree with such decision. Every community should have the right to freely practice its religion or beliefs. Within the European Union we preach for minorities' of any kind protection. However, Switzerland as sovereign country has the right decide upon the way it deals with these issues. The display of religious symbols in public buildings is in the exclusive competence of national legal authorities of the Member States. The EU has no competence on these matters.

What about Turkey in terms of EU? Should it also become a member state?

Daul: Enlargement is a matter of shared values. Before we talk about accession we have to make sure that we are on the same line. Turkey is of strategic importance for the EU because of its strong economy, regional role, contribution to EU's foreign policy and energy security. It is important for Turkey to maintain its important momentum, it needs to intensify efforts to fully meet the Copenhagen criteria and push ahead with other reforms. I am talking in particular about freedom of expression. Normalisation of the relation with its neighbours is another important issue that Turkey has to work on. They are all for the benefit of people of Turkey. Before its accession Poland had to comply with the same rules. There are no different terms and conditions for Turkey than they were for Poland. On the other hand, we need to move one step forward in our relation. We support the European Commissioner for Enlargement's proposal to develop a fresh agenda for EU-Turkey relations because renewed efforts should be invested in creating the conditions for the opening of chapters.

What is the 'maximum capacity' of the EU? How many member states can it accept?

Daul: The enlargement has proven to be the EU's most successful policy. The EPP Group in the European Parliament is its strongest supporter. The opportunity to accede has to be seen in the light of the European Union's fundamental objectives: establishment and respect of freedom, security, stability and economic development balanced by social justice and solidarity. Countries that once were fighting against each other now are queuing to join the EU. The EPP Group has consistently reiterated its firm commitment to candidate countries to join the European Union - provided they fulfil the necessary criteria. At the same time, we have also stressed that the success of the enlargement process can only be achieved if there is clear and long-lasting public support for the EU membership. The European ideals are reaching the farthest corners of Europe, from Iceland to Turkey, and inspire hope, prospect and solidarity among the people. We are happy to embrace that for the benefit of all our European citizens.

Would you be able to point out a man whose strong will and character could be an example for all Europeans?

Daul: Pope John Paul II is without doubt the spiritual and moving force behind the political changes in Eastern Europe. It was his call, during a visit to his homeland in 1979, to the people of Poland, 'Do not be afraid' that was the root of all this positive development. His biblical words are needed now more than ever: we should not be afraid of the crisis that we are facing now. We will tackle it by standing united. John Paul II will be remembered as the one that forged new ties between religions and set an example of tolerance and love. He symbolises the essence of solidarity, so much needed nowadays. This is why I think he is the best example for all Europeans.