Notre Europe's viewpoint
| 23/05/2008
Never has the Europe-as-a-cyclist metaphor seemed more appropriate : every month, every year seems more decisive for the EU's future. The Lisbon Treaty absolutely must be ratified and its detailed implementation worked out in 2008. Several key legislative proposals must be negotiated before the start of the parliamentary election campaign. There will be one hurdle after another in 2009: new legal framework (fingers crossed), new Parliament, new Commission.
It is in this crucial context that the forthcoming three presidencies of the EU"”held successively by France, the Czech Republic, and Sweden"”will have its work cut out. To contribute usefully, Notre Europe, with the French Foundation for Political Innovation and 11 other European think tanks publish this month some 50 analyses and recommendations. Grouped under the theme "Think Global, Act European", they provide pragmatic options for the presidencies' handling of strategic dossiers in 2008, 2009 and beyond: the implementation of the Lisbon Treaty, democracy, growth, the EU budget, environment, energy, social policy, economic governance, external relations, defense, and immigration.
Within the framework of the CAP Health Check, Notre Europe publishes "CAP reform beyond 2013: An idea for a longer view". This publication is the result of Task Force work launched by Notre Europe in the end of 2005. Its aim is not to comment on the different proposals made by the Commission under the Heatlh Check, but to take a broader point of view. The ambition of this contribution is to reconsider without taboos the objectives of a European farm policy with a long view; to assess the instruments currently in place; and, drawing lessons from the past, to make suggestions on how to design the future CAP due in 2013
Also, with Europa Nova and the European Movement France, Notre Europe organises the 2nd edition of the European Estates General on June 21. The "EEG2" will mark the informal launch of the French presidency of the EU, demonstrating French civil society's active involvement. Organised over one day, the programme includes two plenary sessions and 15 workshops, with balanced panels of speakers. Lighter activities will also be organised"”a literary café, a parliamentary simulation, a football match, games for children"¦ Last year's EEG brought together 3000 participants. We expect 5000 this year.
As a cyclist does, Europe must, as Delors famously said, keep its momentum in order to keep its balance. Europe's history shows that the ride is certainly more uphill than a smooth coast.
