EUROPEAN UNION |
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
'UNITY,
A PROCESS OF INQUIRY,
DEBATE,
COMPROMISE, AND
CONSENSUS
TO MEET
THE BROADEST NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE' |
The European Union (EU) is an economic, monetary and political union of democratic (member) states that itself is a democracy too, as well a union of citizens, located primarily in Europe.
The construction is an antidote to the extreme nationalism and a supranational body to handle interests as well as to extent prosperity by pooling some of national 'sovereignty' in areas where it makes sense to work together. With over 500 million citizens, the EU combined generates an estimated 30% share (US$ 18.4 trillion in 2008) of the nominal gross world product and about 22% (US$15.2 trillion in 2008) of the PPP gross world product. But what a differences in motivations and perceptions; on one hand battles held in the Ukraine to join the EU and on the other war language in the UK exit the EU. |
|
The goals of the European Union are:
|
![]() |
Statement of the heads of state or government, meeting in Versailles, on the Russian military aggression against Ukraine, 10 March 2022
1. Two weeks ago Russia brought war back to Europe. Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified military aggression against Ukraine grossly violates international law and the principles of the UN Charter and undermines European and global security and stability. It is inflicting unspeakable suffering on the Ukrainian population. Russia, and its accomplice Belarus, bear full responsibility for this war of aggression and those responsible will be held to account for their crimes, including for indiscriminately targeting civilians and civilian objects. In this respect we welcome the decision of the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court to open an investigation. We call for the safety and security of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities to be ensured immediately with the assistance of the International Atomic Energy Agency. We demand that Russia ceases its military action and withdraws all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine immediately and unconditionally, and fully respects Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognised borders. 2. We commend the people of Ukraine for their courage in defending their country and our shared values of freedom and democracy. We will not leave them alone. The EU and its Member States will continue to provide coordinated political, financial, material and humanitarian support. We are committed to provide support for the reconstruction of a democratic Ukraine once the Russian onslaught has ceased. We are determined to increase even further our pressure on Russia and Belarus. We have adopted significant sanctions and remain ready to move quickly with further sanctions. |
3. Countless people are fleeing the war in Ukraine. We offer temporary protection to all war refugees from Ukraine. We commend European countries, notably at the borders with Ukraine, for showing immense solidarity in hosting Ukrainian war refugees. The EU and its Member States will continue to show solidarity and provide humanitarian, medical and financial support to all refugees and the countries hosting them. We call for funds to be made available without delay through a swift adoption of the proposal on Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) and through ReactEU. We call on Russia to fully abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law. It must ensure safe and unhindered humanitarian access to the victims and internally displaced persons in Ukraine, and allow safe passage for those civilians who want to leave.
4. The European Council acknowledged the European aspirations and the European choice of Ukraine, as stated in the Association Agreement. On 28 February 2022, exercising the right of Ukraine to choose its own destiny, the President of Ukraine submitted the application of Ukraine to become a member of the European Union. The Council has acted swiftly and invited the Commission to submit its opinion on this application in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Treaties. Pending this and without delay, we will further strengthen our bonds and deepen our partnership to support Ukraine in pursuing its European path. Ukraine belongs to our European family. 5. The Council has invited the Commission to submit its opinions on the applications of the Republic of Moldova and Georgia. |
DASHBOARD |
|
A ROADMAP FOR THE EU |
![]() |
|
|
|
Sibiu Summit |
|
NARRATIVE |
|
|
"Europe” is not the cause of our present difficulties, it is its transformation towards a resolutely “federal” structure. There are uncountable dynamics to bring under the spotlight, from the most beautiful to the ultimate destructive. To counter occurrence of destructive dynamics, the European idea has emerged and is, using the concept of differentiated integration and approach of multi-level governance, a direction sought to achieve common goals. A list of reasons to like the EU might read as follows:
it has helped bring a lasting peace to Europe, mainly through the single market, it has promoted prosperity, innovation, opportunity and choice, also thanks to the single market, it has raised standards and expectations, it has helped Europeans understand their shared values and what they have in common, it has reduced – yes, reduced – regulation and red tape by harmonizing national laws in numerous areas of policy, it has helped replace self-interest with shared interests, and exclusion with inclusion, it has promoted democracy and free markets at home and abroad, by bringing together 28 governments and more than 500 million people, it has allowed Europe to speak with a louder voice, it offers a benchmark model of civilian power, showing what can be achieved through peace rather than the threat or use of violence and it has encouraged a rules-based approach to international affairs. Europe is for the community a place to feel at home. Citizens in EU-member-states have European citizenship and have therefore opportunity to help with preparation of texts, decision-making and the evaluation of the EU's work. But there is much more. To provide people feel home, there are also non-material trends. Not only languages, literature & poetry, history, philosophy (within which ethics), religion, visuals, performing arts and music, health, and sports are part of it, but also cultural values, identity, virtues, tolerance, solidarity, equality, rule of law & justice are aspects that contribute to improve well-being. If Europe wants to be a global player, it should also have the disposal of a strong economy, a solid foreign policy and a proper policy for security and is therefore focusing on:
|
|
Aspects asking for outlooks, for narratives about freedoms, forms of polity, peace, less inequality, solidarity, tolerance, justice and for commitments. With use of time, step by step, and inter alia using the concept of differentiated integration and approach of multi-level governance, at this time Europe is fixing its problems on economy, finance and in politics and tries a direction of more unity, but possible lack of sufficient support and resistance from nationalistic and populistic movements may delay that desire. In this context, it is good to have knowledge of Monnet's vision of integration (a Brookings' essay from Strobe Talbott) and the article at the end 'Why ‘anti-European populists’ won’t win big in the European elections' by Cas Mudde, published 28 January 2014. |
Angela Merkel’s victory: What next for Europe? | The German election: What Europe expects - and what Germany will not do |
|
|
|
EUROPA 1580, 1950, 1973 |
|