Published Friday, October 26, 2007 at 16:50
by
PESactivist 
(1245 views and 3 comments)
The birth, development and maturity of the European Union has frequently been marked by the periods of ups and downs, occasional shortfalls and crises in political, economic and social spheres, yet Europe remained “TöGEthe® since 1957!”
Truth be told, Europe was divided and apart since 2005 when it went into doldrums over the Constitutional Treaty and it took two years of collective effort from politicians to put Europe back on track, and it will take even more time to repair the damage inflicted on the social approval of Europe, solidarity and public interest in the Union.
Nevertheless, the Lisbon Summit earlier last week marks the beginning of the end of the recent crisis. Neither British nor Polish opt-outs from the Charter of Fundamental Rights, or Poland's insistence to include 'Ioannina clause' making it possible to delay decisions in the Council, or even the number of "red lines" from the UK on cooperation in justice and home affairs will loosen the bounds among EU-27.
"Europe - but that's abroad!" a constituent once told Fred Tuckman MEP while canvassing. And as long as such attitudes live on, EU's history will be punctuated by the periods of "apa@rt since" and "TöGEthe® until".
loading...
Comments
1. Europeans are Mr Jourdain by chourka
on Monday, October 29, 2007 at 11:52
Like in Molière's piece "Le Bourgeois gentilhomme", we all Europeans behave like we were only nationals and not belonging to something bigger. But, we ARE Europeans as well as we are IN Europe. Often, you'll listen/read sentences like "[France/UK/NL] and Europe" or "foreigners" to speak about other european co-citizens. The main problem comes from the attitude our national governements have when taking decisions on our behalf. They are unable to go beyond national boundaries and national interests. We may understand it when it comes from nationalists party but it's purely unbareable when it's socialists' or social-democrats'. To my view, the new Lisbon Treaty should be the very last Treaty. I mean, next step should be made by something else than IGC behind closed doors, something more democratic, more transparent for a goal much more ambitious than a treaty.2. Treaties are like roses and young girls by PESactivist
on Monday, October 29, 2007 at 14:12
I could not agree more with the comment by , yet the question remains whether the well-read in fine literature Europeans (like that of Molière "Le Bourgeois gentilhomme")are doing themselves more harm then good by reading it?! "A Treaty" - as one source puts it - "is a solemn agreement between two or more sovereign states to conclude or guarantee peace, to resolve differences, to establish or further peaceful mutual goals, to take forward some common project or to come to each other's help if attacked". ...but for the people like Charles De Gaulle, "Treaties are like roses and young girls: they last while they last". Yours, IR3. Language matters? by together
on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 11:19
Europe's reputation: A project for the elites. With the Lisbon summit it changed: from bad to worse. Now only the "Créme de la créme" of our elites are capable of reading and understanding the articles of the treaty. And why? So that the governments hide that it is based on the "old" constitution? Well you don't have to be part of the elites to know that. So why? Maybe to make more people study law and have a carrier as professor in constitutional law - or you will never follow the articles on which a major part of our future societies will be based. To come back to the treaty image of the previous comment: If this treaty is like a rose, then it is the rose that everyone talks about but you will never be able to view and examine yourself. Hopefully it has at least a nice fragrance...To be able to post comments you need to be logged in. No account yet? Register here! Lost your password?