Prensa. voanews.com
Federalizing the European Union, creating a
multi-speed bloc or reducing the union to a single market vehicle. Those are
some options proposed on the future of the European Union in a White Paper by European
Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. The White Paper outlines a path for
the European Union at a time when it's facing many external and internal
challenges.
Juncker, while presenting his White Paper to the
European Parliament Wednesday, said as the bloc is about to celebrate its 60th
anniversary later this month, it needs to shape its vision for its future. “However
painful and regrettable Brexit may be, it will not stop the EU as it moves to
the future," he said. "We need to move forward, we need to continue.
… We should concentrate on the areas where we can actually provide specific
results. It's time we make clear what Europe can and cannot do.”
The White Paper outlines five scenarios on how the
European bloc could move forward. One option would be “carrying on,” with a
focus on strengthening the single market and “speaking with one voice” when it
comes to foreign policy.
Another proposal is for the European Union to do
“nothing but the single market.” That means more has to be resolved bilaterally
as the capacity to act collectively is limited. That option, according to the
White Paper, could also “not fully guarantee” the free movement of workers and
services, one of the foundations of the European Union. The idea was proposed
by national politicians, but is Juncker's least favorite option.
A third option is to create “coalitions of the
willing,” whereby a group of countries interested in working together in
specific policy areas could move along without having to get all 27 member
states on board. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has voiced her support for
this option in public.
Then there is the option for the European Union of
"doing less more efficiently" in a few select priority areas. And
finally, the option of “doing much more together,” which basically would
transform the bloc into a federal European Union.
None of the proposals need treaty or institutional
changes, making it easier for fast implementation once EU leaders have decided
which path to follow. The final decision is clearly put with national capitals
to give them the responsibility on the future of the bloc as Juncker called
upon the media and national politicians to stop the constant “Brussels
bashing.”
Members of the parliament all agreed changes are
needed. Social Democrat Gianni Pittella, leader of the second-largest political
group, said in a statement his group was disappointed with the White Paper,
although he supported the option of “doing much more together” in parliament.
Tough year for EU
The European Union has had a tough past year. The
Brits voted in a referendum to leave the bloc last June and parties critical of
the European Union are polling high in upcoming elections in The Netherlands
and France. EU leaders have a hard time agreeing on pressing issues, including
the ongoing migrant crisis.
Pieter Cleppe of the research organization Open Europe
says he does not have high expectations for a White Paper discussion in the
coming year. “Business as usual and no change is most realistic, unfortunately.
France and Germany, under its current leadership, are most likely to push this.
Officially they may go for enhanced cooperation, but that would be an empty
pledge.”
Leaders are set to discuss the proposal next week
during a summit in Brussels and during the Treaty of Rome celebrations at the
end of the month. Real progress and adoption of a way forward are expected at
the end of 2017, after elections in Germany and France.