Are we heading towards a Union of multiple speeds?
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ARTICLE Are we heading towards a Union of multiple speeds? Constance Le Grip Published online: 20 June 2012 Ó Centre for European Studies 2012 The economic and financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis, speculative attacks against certain eurozone members, globalisation, increasing migratory flows, ‘currency wars’: these major events have presented a formidable challenge for our European Union over the past four years, and we must rise to meet them together. Europe has reacted in different ways: by reinforcing the Stability and Growth Pact, by creating the EFSF and later the ESM and with tools to fight against the excesses of financial speculation; and through the Stability Pact, economic coordination and governance, new strategy in commercial relations, and on- going reform of the Schengen area. There is still much to do and in the coming years we will mostly have to further our efforts to increase economic and financial stability, ensuring greater responsibility and solidarity, and a political Europe. The roads we have taken over the past years have led—de facto, and sometimes de jure—to a Union of multiple speeds, whether in the eurozone (with just 17 Member States) or the Schengen area (with 26 countries, of which 22 are Member States). And of course, the latest and most visible example to date is the treaty known as the Fiscal Compact, which has been negotiated and signed by 25 Member States. Although these different approaches are not always fully satisfying and easy to understand from an institutional perspective, as well as regularly deplored by ‘Community method’ purists and European federalists, they can nonetheless claim to be realistic, pragmatic, practical, easily carried out and, in my opinion, absolutely in line with the complexities of the globalised world in which Europe is evolving, as well as with the challenges that we must face up to. C. Le Grip (&) European Parliament, Ba ˆt. Altiero Spinelli, 13E157, 60, Rue Wiertz, 1047 Brussels, Belgium e-mail: [email protected] 123 European View (2012) 11:85–86 DOI 10.1007/s12290-012-0201-y
Transcript of Are we heading towards a Union of multiple speeds?
A R T I C L E
Are we heading towards a Unionof multiple speeds?
Constance Le Grip
Published online: 20 June 2012� Centre for European Studies 2012
The economic and financial crisis, the sovereign debt crisis, speculative attacksagainst certain eurozone members, globalisation, increasing migratory flows,‘currency wars’: these major events have presented a formidable challenge forour European Union over the past four years, and we must rise to meet themtogether.
Europe has reacted in different ways: by reinforcing the Stability and GrowthPact, by creating the EFSF and later the ESM and with tools to fight against theexcesses of financial speculation; and through the Stability Pact, economiccoordination and governance, new strategy in commercial relations, and on-going reform of the Schengen area. There is still much to do and in the comingyears we will mostly have to further our efforts to increase economic andfinancial stability, ensuring greater responsibility and solidarity, and a politicalEurope.
The roads we have taken over the past years have led—de facto, andsometimes de jure—to a Union of multiple speeds, whether in the eurozone(with just 17 Member States) or the Schengen area (with 26 countries, of which22 are Member States). And of course, the latest and most visible example todate is the treaty known as the Fiscal Compact, which has been negotiated andsigned by 25 Member States.
Although these different approaches are not always fully satisfying and easyto understand from an institutional perspective, as well as regularly deplored by‘Community method’ purists and European federalists, they can nonethelessclaim to be realistic, pragmatic, practical, easily carried out and, in my opinion,absolutely in line with the complexities of the globalised world in which Europeis evolving, as well as with the challenges that we must face up to.
C. Le Grip (&)European Parliament, Bat. Altiero Spinelli, 13E157, 60,Rue Wiertz, 1047 Brussels, Belgiume-mail: [email protected]
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European View (2012) 11:85–86DOI 10.1007/s12290-012-0201-y
No, these different approaches, these variable geometries, these circles ordifferent speeds in various matters do not challenge the spirit of the founders!Jean Monnet’s method was nothing if not pragmatic, realistic, tangible andvisionary all at once.
The Europe of multiple speeds already exists, and by no means does itrepresent the end of the European project or the burial of the dream of peace,liberty and prosperity born from the ashes of the Second World War. Our tasktoday and in the years to come is to give a new direction to the Europeanproject. Having overcome the challenge of dimension, Europe must now facethe challenge of power. Which tools can it create and use in order to become apolitical power? Does everyone share a common vision of this will to act?Developing a political Europe is undoubtedly one of the paths to follow. Andthis political Europe can only grow around a committed core. European defencemust also be a guiding axis. European Member States that share the will and themeans to do so must set out to build a common European defence system, andother countries should be able to progressively join them when they feel ready.This European defence core could be formed by the joint sum of the ‘WeimarTriangle’ with the United Kingdom.
In order for this Europe of multiple speeds, of multiple circles, to come tofruition, we must create and refine institutional frameworks without fear ortaboos inherited from the past. We will need audacity, imagination andenthusiasm. Who doubts that the Old Continent can muster these resources?
Constance Le Grip (France) is a Member of the European Parlia-ment and vice-chair of its Committee on Constitutional Affairs.
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