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European Institutions

Ten Commandments for Europe

Dieci comandamenti per l’Europa

EN | IT | FR | DE – In a kind of prelude to the new political season, Manfred Weber, the Chair of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, delivered a noteworthy speech on Europe at the Catholic Academy in Bavaria, Munich.towards the end of 2016. The core of his speech centred on his “Ten points for the self-assertion of Europe”. At first sight, they are simple and obvious – but actually they are not.

The relaunch of a common security and defence policy

Il rilancio di una politica di difesa e sicurezza

EN | IT | FR – The European Council held on 25-26 June 2015, invited Federica Mogherini to submit a draft Eu global strategy on foreign and security policy within the next twelve months. The Mogherini proposal is designed to replace the 2003 European Security Strategy, long past its sell-by date. Heads of State and Government also mooted a vaguer idea of creating a future defence research and technology programme at the horizon of 2020. That was the extent of their creative thinking on this issue of vital importance.

A new resolution on water

Una nuova risoluzione per l’acqua

EN | IT – World Water Day, which took place on March 22, 2015, saw the participation of a huge delegation of the Forum of Water Movements to support the right to water. According to Renato Di Nicola, one of the coordinators of the Italian Forum of Pubic Water Movements, “the fact that hundreds of people throughout Europe (seventy from Italy) have come to Brussels to defend public water is a sign of the interest and constant commitment by active and concerned citizens at continental level”.

Juncker’s plan for kick-starting investment

Il piano Juncker per gli investimenti

EN | IT | FR | DE – The EU Heads of State and Government met in a European Council on 18-19 December in Brussels. They warmly welcomed Jean-Claude Juncker’s plan, which aims to create a ‘European Fund for Strategic Investments’. The mainstream parties of the European Parliament also gave it their resounding approval. It is a positive sign when people are finally talking about investment at European level rather than continuing to lose their way in the murky depths of Eurozone governance. Still, we should remain cautious about the success of this new Fund – for a number of reasons.

Europe, a new beginning

Europa, un nuovo inizio

EN | IT | FR | DE – We are at the dawn of a new legislature: the “to do list” is so urgent that no time can be wasted. We must avoid the risk of waiting any longer for somebody else to get the job done and find the courage to make new and difficult choices together for the years to come. Considering that President Juncker has now announced the new Commission composition – with responsibilities being structured around well-defined political priorities in the hands of Vice Presidents – the time has come for a change of tack in Europe as well. And I believe this should happen along 3 directions.

European Commission: the best team?

Commissione europea: la squadra migliore?

EN | IT | DE | FR – “The European Parliament will not accept a gentlemen’s club” said the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, on 16 July. He warned the Heads of State and Government meeting in the European Council that the European Parliament would not invest a Commission that did not contain an adequate number of women. The previous European Commission, formed in 2009, included 9 women. The 28 Member States had until the end of July to submit their respective candidates for a European Commissioner post. Mr Juncker received just four nominations for women…

With ten commandments in the hemicycle

Con dieci verbi nell’emiciclo

EN | IT | FR – The new Parliament, elected on May this year, is preparing to face the great cultural, social, economic and political challenges. The responses coming from the hemicycle will determine the future of the European Union. Edward Zin, vice-president of the Saint-Benoît Institute (www.robert-schuman.com) which promoted the cause for the beatification of Robert Schuman, now in its ‘Vatican’ stage, wrote this “Decalogue of the MEP.” A commitment to Europe articulated in ten commandments.